Isla Bonita pushes the boundaries of conventional relationships – daughter and boyfriend, boyfriend and daughter’s ex-boyfriend and finally mother and retired filmmaker, all set on a beautiful island. What could go wrong? A lot could go wrong and does in this unconventional comedy.
It is summer on Menorca and Olivia has lost direction in her life. She just ended an affair in order to begin a real relationship, however as soon as she starts this new relationship, it ends because of a foolish quarrel. Her mother Nuria tries to comfort her but to no avail.
Fer, a seasoned publicist out of work, arrives in Menorca. He is met by his friend Miguel Ángel, ex-creative director with a big advertising agency now enjoying retirement. The purpose of the trip is to make a brief documentary about Joan, the 80 year old man who tends Miguel Ángel’s vegetable garden, although the real reason is to spend a few relaxing days recovering their old friendship.
When Fer moves into moves into Nuria and Olivia’s guesthouse, things change considerably. While Olivia sees him as a father figure, Fernando tries to seduce Nuria.
Oliva reunites with her new love in a strange and unexpected manner and events change for the better for almost all the members in this web of misunderstood relationships.
A homage to Spain’s holiday islands, Fernando Colomo teases us with this semi-autobiographic fiction film. It is hard to separate the performances; they are all so well-rounded.The most complex performance however, comes from director and actor Fernando Colomo himself as Fer. He is striking in his yellow glasses and flyaway hair. His character is ever changing, vulnerable, yet worldly wise.
The real hero (or heroine) of the film is the island itself. The locations are beautiful and makes you want to hop on a plane and visit for yourself.
Isla Bonita is a cheeky comedy that will have you looking at relationships in a new way!
Reviewed by Barry Hill
Twitter: @kinesguy
Rating out of 10: 7
Isla Bonita will screen again on 21 May 2016 as part of the Spanish Film Festival, exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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