Island

Raw, awkward, unglamorous, dark, sensitive, atmospheric, poetic, sublimely emotional - I'm sure there's many who will dislike this film, I loved it.

Pay attention from the very start, and settle into 90 minutes of absorbing visuals and sounds as this story weaves its path between fairy tale, innocence and stark interactions.

The three main actors put in great performances, their characters are real people - no generic playing themselves in costume here. Calum is the Island incarnate with his beachcomber treasures and tales, an intimate connection with his environment although in a bubble from the rest of the world. His mother Phyllis is crone like, tired, troubled and protective both of her son and of what she holds inside. Niki is on a mission she describes at the beginning. Her internal discomfort is evident from when she first appears, then lands on the Island to pursue her destiny, a driven catalyst to break the stony status quo.

The scenery is stunning and the sets perfect, the filming capturing everything really well. There is the one scene near the end with boat and water that I thought was erm... rough! The scene at the end worked so well, despite it being challenging, it felt so right. Difficult to say more without spoiling! Its not bubblegum - enjoy!