‘The Island’ Review: A Far Too Conventional Noir On A Greek Island  

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The Island
Matt Dillon and Aida Folch in The Island (2024) © Signature Entertainment

Matt Dillon’s dark secrets unravel on a sun-drenched Greek island in Fernando Trueba’s latest noir.

★★★☆☆

Fernando Trueba’s The Island (released in the US as Haunted Heart) is a visually stunning noir homage set against the idyllic backdrop of a Greek island. The film stars Matt Dillon as Max, a mysterious man with a troubled past, and Aida Folch as Alex, a young woman who becomes entangled in his dangerous world.

Trueba’s direction is masterful, capturing the beauty of the Greek island with stunning cinematography. The film’s use of light and shadow creates a noirish, seductive, and menacing atmosphere. The sun-kissed Greek island and sparkling sea combined with the frequent shadowy interiors mark the dangers hidden within the beauty.  

Dillon delivers a charismatic performance as Max, a man who is both charming and dangerous. He is a complex character who is haunted by his past, but who is also capable of great tenderness. Folch is equally impressive as Alex, a young woman who is drawn to Max’s mystery and danger. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable, and their relationship is at the narrative’s centre. Alex bares her heart to Max, always trying to peel back the layers of Max’s past to get to know him. At one point, Alex plays a familiar record of Max’s, clearly stirring suppressed memories within him, yet as the audience we are constantly being struck along desperate for some reveal or twist. It takes the majority of the runtime for such reveals to come out.  

The Island‘s plot is a familiar one, following the tropes of the noir genre. Max is a morally ambiguous character who is involved in a dangerous scheme. Alex is a vulnerable young woman who is drawn into his world. Why did Max abandon everything and move to this island? Why is he so defensive and secretive? Why is he apprehensive about getting involved with Alex? Their relationship is a dangerous and mysterious one, and it is unclear whether it will ultimately lead to happiness or destruction.

The pacing is very slow, and it can be challenging to maintain interest in the plot. However, the film’s visual beauty and the strong performances of its cast make it worth watching. The film’s ending is ambiguous, leaving the viewer to decide whether Max and Alex will ultimately find happiness together.

One of the film’s strengths is its character development. Max and Alex are both complex characters who are well-drawn. The supporting characters, such as Chico, the restaurant’s flirtatious waiter, are also well-developed. The film’s dialogue is sharp and witty, and it helps to move the story forward. However, the film’s weaknesses lie in its plot and its lack of originality. You can tell that Max, the mysterious boyfriend, is clearly jealous of the mildly flirty relationship between Alex and Chico and that this will result in a classic love triangle conflict. Chico is the main source of exposition throughout the film, investigating the darker side of Max’s past to warn Alex about the danger he poses.

Juan Pablo Urrego in The Island (2024) © Signature Entertainment

The film explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. Max is haunted by his past and is searching for a way to move on. Alex is a young woman who is looking for love and adventure. Their relationship offers them both a chance to escape their pasts. The Greek island serves as a symbol of paradise, but it is also a place where danger lurks. Max’s clarinet is a symbol of his past and his pain. The restaurant is a symbol of Max’s life, and it is a place where he feels both at home and out of place. These ideas aren’t in your face, but the general dialogue is so weak that you’re desperately looking for any possible hints or engaging moments to cling to.   

While The Island is a solid noir film, it is unlikely to be remembered as a classic. It is a film that is worth watching for its visual beauty and strong performances, but it is unlikely to leave a lasting impression. It can be compared to other classic noir films, such as Double Indemnity (1944) and The Maltese Falcon (1941); borrowing their themes of forbidden love, mystery, and deception. However, the film fails to offer anything truly original, relying on familiar tropes and clichés.

The Verdict

Despite its flaws, The Island is a visually stunning and well-made film. It offers strong performances from its cast, and its characters are reasonably fleshed out. However, the film’s lack of originality and its predictable plot ultimately hinder its impact. It’s incredibly watchable, but more so conventional.

The Island is available to stream digitally from September 23.

Words by Kieran Webb


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