Islands Movie Review- In Theaters Now

There's that old saying, Nothing is as it seems, well, that speaks volumes for this film. 
Sam Riley has one of the most pained and disbelieving looks in such subtle ways that it's hard to describe. But I don't recall the last time I saw someone do it so well; he's really remarkable throughout the entire film.

Here he plays Tom, or Ace, a once very popular tennis player, who is now instructing the very wealthy on how to play the game, or their children. He is asked to teach a young man, Anton, by his mother, Anne(Stacy Martin). Tom is certain they have met before, but she assures him they haven't.

Anne is very attentive during the session, but when David(Jack Farthing), Anton's father, brings him the next day, Tom notices the lack of interest David has in the session by remaining on his phone the entire time.

L-R David(Jack Farthing) Anne(Stacy Martin) & Tom(Sam Riley)

David makes a complaint to Tom about the room they have been given, so Tom tells them that he can see what he can do for them. Knowing the front desk staff, Tom can upgrade their room without any additional cost. Upon seeing the room, which has 2 bedrooms, Anton is thrilled he can have his own space.

They offer Tom some extra money for the trouble, which he declines, then invite him out for dinner. 

Over the next few days, the four spend lots of time together, as Tom has become sort of a tour guide around the islands in the Canary Islands. Gorgeous scenery, I can only imagine what it would look like in person if the cameras catch it as well as they do throughout the film.

After a few drinks one night on Anne & David's balcony of their room, Anne is tired and heads to bed. Tom wants to leave, but David asks him to show him around the quaint little town he is visiting. Tom reluctantly takes him to a bar he's quite familiar with, as Tom likes to drink as well. However, when David decides to have more than one drink and buys a bottle of vodka for a woman he just met, Tom asks if he thinks it's such a good idea.

The following morning, Tom gets a call from Anne, who tells him that David never came back to the room. I am not going to go into much detail here,  but it's a great little middle part of the film that got its hooks deep in me until the end.

This might just be the sleeper of the year. It's a very quiet little film; if you give it your full attention, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Also, a great little score, which is kind of a haunting mystery vibe from the main theme by Dascha Dauenhauer, which really helps with the mood of the film.

I have included the track below