This one's a beautiful, tender, quiet romantic drama with a moody atmosphere, set in a tight knit Welsh fishing community. It's a touching story about a man waking up sexually in the middle of his life, and how he, his family, and everyone around him deal with it, which makes it emotional and sentimental without ever getting over the top. The slow burn plays out against a landscape that's as bleak as it is gorgeous, where quiet, closed off men are stuck inside rigid ideas of what masculinity should be. Some people might be reminded of "God's Own Country," but I think both films are lovely in their own way. Jack is a middle aged guy who co-owns a mussel farm with his rough around the edges brother Dyfan, and the tension between the two of them is simmering under the surface right from the start. Dyfan's three sons all help out with the work, while Jack's sulky teenage son Tom keeps skipping out. Jack's been with his wife since they were both 16, and...
Beatrice and her son Elliot arrive somewhere in France to pack their bags and empty their summer house, because it is sold now. A decision that was taken by Elliot’s father, Philip (who doesn’t show up until later). We also have Clement, a young boy form Paris, visiting his aunt in the same town because of a family turmoil. Elliot falls for Clement in their first meeting, which he knows but Clement is very indifferent to it. He agrees to their invitation to help them pack giving Elliot an opportunity for them to hang out. Clement is friendly and proves to be a sympathetic ear to Beatrice, which makes Elliot jealous. He thinks she is now his rival and wants Clement. Elliot knows what he wants and he is vocal about his feeling to Clement who just ignores it. Clement takes time for his buried feelings to come out, which we don’t know since he submits to a lustful kiss by Beatrice and also to a handjob by Elliot. The father son arrives to sign papers and seemingly there are more secrets in family, which we are not told besides that their marriage is crumbling. The marriage finally crumbles and life for Elliot will not be same again in England. As a budding poet, his new life will be a departure that proves both literal and satisfyingly figurative.
The film is slow, so as an audience you need good patience to watch this The film draws heavily on emotions and the surroundings to create the longing of aloofness. It shows considerable promise when it comes to show the sensitivity of emotions and aesthetics but the same becomes tiring after a while. I men for how long can we watch the characters stare into open space? The characters sketch is interesting. I like it that we know enough about the characters but not everything, which leaves room for individual interpretation. Yes it wasn’t very clear whether Clement was into Elliot or not but thats not important, is it! Clement is aware of Elliot’s liking for him and he plays along. He himself comes from a disturbed background and takes the opportunity of human touch in his stride. Whats wrong with that? I love the scene when both mother and son ask each other why they didn’t tell me about Clement.
The film is a good story but it could easily have been cut short by 30 minutes. I don’t think it will appeal to most people but do give it a try. (5.5/10)
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