Country: GER
Technical: col/2.39:1 123m
Director: Jan-Ole Gerster
Cast: Stacy Martin, Sam Riley, Jack Farthing
Synopsis:
A burnt-out tennis ace coaching hotel guests on the island of Fuerteventura buries his disenchantment in alcohol, drugs and casual sex with tourists. However, when an apparently model family proves to have fault lines of its own, he imagines he sees a means of escape.
Review:
This quasi erotic thriller is more of an exercise in suspense, as the viewer moves all sorts of scenarios around in his head as to how disastrous the protagonist's investment in this nuclear family will prove to be. Hitchcockian reminiscences (one of those inquisitive policemen, a Vertigo reference here and there) rub shoulders with a L'Avventura mystery narrative and Stromboli rumblings to produce one of the more atmospheric additions to the 'well-heeled abroad' sub-genre since A Bigger Splash. There is an awkward lapse in time continuity about halfway through, and it is irritating how Tom moves effortlessly from a fully-booked schedule to devoting all his time to a customer he began by having no space for at all. That and sleeping drunk on one of the pool deckchairs... surely a sackable offence? The camel is a nice touch.
Country: GER
Technical: col/2.39:1 123m
Director: Jan-Ole Gerster
Cast: Stacy Martin, Sam Riley, Jack Farthing
Synopsis:
A burnt-out tennis ace coaching hotel guests on the island of Fuerteventura buries his disenchantment in alcohol, drugs and casual sex with tourists. However, when an apparently model family proves to have fault lines of its own, he imagines he sees a means of escape.
Review:
This quasi erotic thriller is more of an exercise in suspense, as the viewer moves all sorts of scenarios around in his head as to how disastrous the protagonist's investment in this nuclear family will prove to be. Hitchcockian reminiscences (one of those inquisitive policemen, a Vertigo reference here and there) rub shoulders with a L'Avventura mystery narrative and Stromboli rumblings to produce one of the more atmospheric additions to the 'well-heeled abroad' sub-genre since A Bigger Splash. There is an awkward lapse in time continuity about halfway through, and it is irritating how Tom moves effortlessly from a fully-booked schedule to devoting all his time to a customer he began by having no space for at all. That and sleeping drunk on one of the pool deckchairs... surely a sackable offence? The camel is a nice touch.
