Romantic comedy On An Island Far Away hit Netflix in March, and gently shows how to start over even after 40
In March at Netflix premiered his new rom-com: On a distant island. Directed by the German Vanessa Jopp, the film has chosen Croatian landscapes to escape clichés and show how it is possible to start life over even after 40 years.
In the beginning, we are introduced to Zeynap Altin, brilliantly played by actress Naomi Krauss. Erased by pain and suffering, she is a melancholy woman who needs to piece things together for her mother’s wake. In addition to that, she still has to deal with household chores and her grumpy father, inattentive husband and wayward teenage daughter.
Overburdened and dragged by life, she is surprised by a precious inheritance: her mother had bought a house in Croatia, the country where she was born, and now the property has gone to Zeynap. Without much prospect for a good future, and with a shaky relationship, the woman soon realizes she doesn’t have much to lose and she takes off across the country to view her new property.
A new life, a new woman
From that moment on, the film tries to get some laughs from the audience by forcing comical situations between the protagonist and Josip (Goran Bogdan), the former owner of the house who still lives there. Big and awkward, at times he looks like a child, precisely because he says everything that comes to mind.
The dynamics of the duo are nice and the actors demonstrate chemistry on stage which makes it easier for the audience to root for the pair. While the comedy can feel a little stilted at times, the romance works well on stage.
During the time he lives in Croatia, the two fight over the house and the land. While Zeynap wants to sell the property or rent it out to Airbnb, Josip doesn’t accept the possibility of seeing other guests ruin the property. The war between the two is marked by their stubbornness in not agreeing to hear the other’s opinion and by the fact that they do not give up and assume they are in love.
The most interesting detail of this part of the story, however, is seeing how the protagonist transforms from the inside out, a success of the text, of course, but also of the characterization team transforming a bitter and lonely Zeynap who wore only she wears dark eyes and had several dark circles under her eyes, in a young, friendly and cheerful woman who abuses light tones and manages to illuminate the environments where she arrives.
Good main character and good secondary characters
Another interesting point is that although A distant island whether it’s Zeynap – and the plot makes it very clear – does not erase the supporting actors. They obviously orbit the main character, but they’re good additions to the storyline. The gruff husband is experienced by Adan Maral, who manages to balance moments of humor and drama well, without falling into slapstick.
Besides them, Artjom Gilz, Bahar Balci, Davor Tomic, Vedat Erincin, among others, complete the cast. Even if they are little-known names for us Brazilians, they do not do badly in front of the cameras and deserve to be seen in other jobs they may be doing.
Reinforcing the fact that the supporting actors are important in the plot, a great success occurs when Zeynap’s daughter says she is in love with Louise, a girl he met.
The mother is right to treat her with respect (as she should be), but wrong to immediately assume she is a lesbian. Later, we see the girl reiterating that she is bisexual. Correction of the text, which did not reinforce stereotypes, and of Balci, which gave the scene the necessary naturalness.
Is On A Faraway Island Worth Watching?
With light, fun text and beautiful landscapes, the new Netflix romantic comedy has everything to win over fans of the genre – and even those who aren’t so fans. The film focuses on the rediscovery process of an elderly woman who realizes that life doesn’t end after 40 and that there is always a chance to start over.
With a fine performance by Krauss in the lead role, On a distant island it shows real bodies and skin and doesn’t try to glamorize what should be natural. The film is not a “head film”, but sobering and serves as a comfort movie.
Anyone who wants to give the job a chance can look On a distant island TO Netflix.
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Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
