Watch Island

Island is a thought-provoking drama released in 2011, directed by Elizabeth Mitchell and starring Natalie Press, Colin Morgan, and Janet McTeer. Set in the 1840s, the film tells a tale of love, loss, and repression on a remote island off the west coast of Scotland where the inhabitants have their minds closed off from the outside world.

The protagonist, Euphemia (Press), is a young woman who grew up on the island and is now a teacher for the children, teaching them how to read and write. She is passionate about this endeavor, as she sees education as a means to a better life. Her life is filled with daily routines until one day when she is asked to leave her home to go work in a wealthy family in the mainland.

While Euphemia is away, she meets a young architect, David (Morgan), who is working on building a lighthouse on the island. The two soon fall in love, and David begins to reveal more about the outside world, introducing Euphemia to new ideas and concepts that she had never encountered before.

Returning home to the island, Euphemia finds that her sister, who she left in charge of the children in her absence, is now resentful of Euphemia's newfound knowledge and is angry that she introduced new ideas to the children. The tension becomes even more severe when the wealthy family starts to make plans to buy the island, forcing Euphemia and the rest of the inhabitants to confront the reality of their limited worldview.

Throughout the film, the characters battle with their fears, doubts, and desires. Euphemia is torn between loyalty to her family and her newfound love for David, and David feels unsure if the lighthouse he is building will ever be finished. The director handles the characters' fears with sensitivity, depicting a community struggling to come to terms with a reality that threatens their lifestyle and traditional ways of living.

The acting by Natalie Press and Colin Morgan is excellent, both bringing an emotional depth to their roles. Janet McTeer gives a powerful performance as a strict but caring mother figure who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.

The film's setting is also worthy of mention. The Scottish island is stunning, with its wild landscapes, rocky shores, and tumultuous weather. The cinematography captures the island's beauty while also emphasizing the harshness of the environment and the isolation of the community.

Island does an excellent job of exploring themes of education, traditionalism, and progress. The film encourages viewers to question the limits of their own knowledge and the value of their preconceived beliefs. It also offers a message of hope, that it is possible to break free from the restrictions of one's environment and embrace new horizons, no matter how daunting that can be.

In conclusion, Island is a movie that will leave viewers feeling moved and inspired by the journey of Euphemia and the community of the island. Its themes are relevant even today, and the performances and setting make for a captivating viewing experience.