Hello Viewers and Classwatchers, time for another weekly dose of MovieViews. This week I watched the British dark comedy, Archipelago. This movie has been on the list of many fans of Tom Hiddleston and most Anglophiles hold this with high regard. I do like some British Comedy films such as ensemble hits like Love Actually and witty, dark humor like Monty Python and The Full Monty; I am also a fan of Mr. Hiddleston after his portrayl of the trickster god and brother of Thor, Loki, in the Marvel films. But even with that much behind it, I can't stand pretentious British films; one may think American Indie films are high up there, but British goes far and beyond with uppercrust snobbish tones and First World problem angst that makes me want to bang my head against a bring wall. But I decided to give it a watch and here's the real review.
The Review
I will say this right now; I expected these feelings for this movie and how I felt afterwards. If you love complaining and whispering, you will love this film; if not, then you will be like me and cry tears of boredom. Archipelago is a pretentious, whiny, and boring film; I didn't even know what was going on half the time of the film's viewing. The director, Joanna Hogg, broke no new grounds with this film and it is rather forgetful for a film that you are supposed to relate to. Tom Hiddleston is also forgettable in his role as a emotionally distance college student about to do work in Africa, a role that has been done many times before, but could be interesting if perhaps he went through a complete mental breakdown. I couldn't even finish the movie all at once, but break it apart in days.
The plot of Archipelago is a simple family vacation film setting in the Scilly Islands. Tom Hiddleston plays as Edward, a missionary going to Africa for volunteer work, seeing his family on holiday before he leaves. The family is dysfunctional and constantly getting into fights. They try to make things right for possibly their last holiday together as a family, even inviting a helping hand with a hired cook and a painting teacher to bring some light on to the vacation. It's your typical story about how a family is supposed to come together when they need each other.
The acting was melodramatic and full of whispers. I find that a movie doesn't do its job whenever you have to strain to listen to an argument and still have no idea what the characters said. The conversations went on for far too long with the same shot and that draws on the movie far longer than it needs to. Tom Hiddleston is the lost, misunderstood soul trying to make sense of his family; his acting is fine but the directing and writing was so bland and monotone that he couldn't flesh out his character enough. The others acting in the film don't add anything new, just more dysfunctional, whiny character cut-outs.
The one thing this film does have is beautiful, although lazy cinematography and fitting music. The film is mostly in wide shots and the scenes are very pretty with a light filter over the shots. Even though, some shots stay for too long, at least there is stuff to look at as well. There were no memorable scenes except for one involving a puppet, worked by Tom Hiddleston's character, which was adorable, but most of the scene was once again in a single, boring shot. The film had so much potential with the visuals and the film is pretty, but still dull with the camera work. The music is also the typical classical music, but I think it sets the melodramatic mood represented in the film.
Overall, Archipelago is a boring, pretentious, and quiet film. The camera work is horrible, some scenes don't make sense or were totally unnecessary. The characters are dull and self-centered to the point where you dislike them greatly. The only reason I would recommend this is to see Loki working a badger puppet to his mother. And I can help you there! Don't see this, unless you want to fall asleep.
