Archipelago (2010) starring Christopher Baker, Kate Fahy, Tom Hiddleston, Andrew Lawson directed by Joanna Hogg Movie Review

Archipelago (2010)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Archipelago (2010)

The Boring Bourgeoisie

Arriving on the Scilly Isles by helicopter Edward (Tom Hiddleston) is met by his sister Cynthia (Lydia Leonard) and mother (Kate Fahey) where they plan to have a final family holiday before Edward heads abroad for a year. But it is very clear that whilst technically family there is very little in common between them as Edward seems unable to talk and be himself with his domineering sister but is more comfortable chatting with the hired help whilst his mother seems permanently nervous.

I've never been to the Scilly Isles but after watching "Archipelago" I might go as it looks absolutely beautiful. I suppose that is one positive I can find about this movie as Ed Rutherford's cinematography captures the look of the island in such a way that it draws you in. But in truth beyond that I didn't enjoy "Archipelago" and certainly wasn't entertained as observing an upper middle class family which have grown up with no real family connection is as dull as dishwater.

Now in fairness "Archipelago" is well acted with Lydia Leonard doing a very good job of playing Cynthia whose domineering nature even puts her mother in her place which allows for Tom Hiddleston as Edward finding it a struggle to be himself around her because of her natural air of bossiness. But watching these characters along with the hired help act nervously around each other as their lack of family bonding is put on show is not interesting or entertaining just hard work. In fact if it wasn't for the beauty of the setting then "Archipelago" would quite possibly have ended up one of just a handful of movies I have walked away from. Well come on watching someone attentively climbing across the rocks from a cave for 30 seconds or what feels like an eternity is not entertaining.

What this all boils down to is that "Archipelago" was not for me and observing the dysfunctional life of an upper middle class family who don't know how to be around each other is not entertaining despite being well acted and featuring some beautiful scenery.


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