The Story
Tom (Swann Arlaud) takes his 13-year-old son, Roy (Woody Norman), to live on a remote island in the Far North for a year. This return to the wild allows them to reconnect. However, the extreme conditions and isolation put their relationship to the test…
Our Opinion
Eight years after the film “Mobile Home,” Vladimir de Fontenay brings David Vann’s book to the screen, or rather offers a free adaptation. While the novel changed perspective halfway through, it is not the case here as destinies are altered. The director explores the relationship between father and son, questions the toxicity of the elder, and the psychological impact it can have on the pre-adolescent. He leverages the icy climate the two characters are in, resulting in a mix of drama and survival.
Furthermore, the film is supported by two powerful performances. Swann Arlaud, outstanding as the flawed father trying to make up for lost time… and performing in English, sets the tone, while Woody Norman, Joaquin Phoenix’s nephew in “Our Souls at Night,” confirms by portraying the conflicts of a young boy eager to meet expectations without completely sinking. Their captivating interaction intensifies, leading to a surprising reinterpretation in the final twist reminiscent of “Sukkwan Island.”
DRAMA (France, Norway, Belgium, UK, 1 h 55). By Vladimir de Fontenay starring Swann Arlaud, Woody Norman, Alma Pöysti. Our Rating: 4/5.
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