Watch Albatross

Albatross is a bittersweet coming-of-age film, released in 2011, that follows the life of a young girl, Emelia Conan-Doyle, who longs to become a writer. She is a passionate and talented wordsmith, and although life tries its hardest to get in her way, she maintains her sense of hope and determination throughout the film. Emelia is a daring and fearless teenager, who manages to charm almost everyone she meets, even if she doesn't always mean to.

As the film opens, Emelia makes a chance acquaintance with a wealthy family, the Fischer family, who own a grand and beautiful hotel near her home in England. This encounter ends up changing her life in ways she couldn't have anticipated. While cleaning the hotel rooms, Emelia meets the youngest daughter of the family, Beth (Jessica Brown Findlay, of Downton Abbey fame), who is on the cusp of adulthood and struggling to navigate the complexities of her privileged life. Beth is drawn to Emelia's artistic spirit, and soon they form a close friendship.

Beth's father, Jonathan (Sebastian Koch), is a successful and acclaimed author, renowned for his prolific writing and charming personality. But behind closed doors, he is struggling with writer's block and a stifling marriage to his wife, Joa (Julia Ormond). When Emelia accidentally burns a manuscript that Jonathan had been working on for months, he initially lashes out at her, setting in motion a chain of events that will change the course of all of their lives.

Despite the conflicts and betrayals that follow, the three women - Emelia, Beth, and Joa - all find ways to come together and support each other. Emelia becomes something of a muse for Jonathan, inspiring him to finally break through his writer's block and connect with his family in new and meaningful ways. Meanwhile, Beth struggles to come to terms with her own growing feelings for Emelia, even as she grapples with her own family's complicated dynamics.

Felicity Jones delivers a standout performance as Emelia, suffusing the character with both ambition and vulnerability. She is a force of nature, unapologetically ambitious and driven to succeed, even as obstacles continue to be thrown in her path. Her friendship with Beth is particularly moving, as the two girls bond over their shared love of literature and their mutual desire for something more in life.

Jessica Brown Findlay similarly shines as Beth, expertly conveying the internal struggle between her love for Emelia and the expectations of her wealthy family. Her chemistry with Jones is palpable, making their scenes together some of the most touching and heartfelt in the film.

Lastly, Sebastian Koch is perfectly cast as Jonathan, a man whose confidence and self-assurance belies the depths of his inner turmoil. The scenes between him and Emelia crackle with tension and intelligence, as the two brilliant writers spar and challenge each other.

All in all, Albatross is a beautiful and poignant film that explores the many facets of love, loss, and growing up. It is a captivating journey that allows viewers to truly feel for each character and understand their individual struggles. Whether you're a fan of literary dramas or simply enjoy watching complex, character-driven films, Albatross is not to be missed.

Albatross is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 42.