Dir. Carl Tibbetts, 2011, UK , 90 mins
Cast. Cillian Murphy, Thandie Newton, Jamie Bell
Review by Michelle Moore
Retreat is a brilliant thriller in every respect. The story revolves around a couple, Kate ( Newton ) and Martin (Murphy), who are having marital problems. In an attempt to save their relationship, they return to a place that holds fond memories of a better time, the beautiful yet isolated island of Blackholme off the west coast of Scotland . There they hope to spend some time alone and sort out their difficulties. When a man ( Bell ) is washed up on the beach dressed in military clothes and, we later discover, concealing a gun, they do what they think best and help him, taking him back to their cottage. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse when the young man claims that a horrible airborne disease is sweeping across the country and they must secure the house against the air outside.
But where is the proof of the young man’s claims about the disease? He also says he can see people outside the cottage trying to get in, but neither the viewer nor the other characters are witness to these visions and with the CB radio communications down, there is no way to find out the truth. Is there really a deadly virus spreading across the nation, or did this man hit his head a little too hard when he was washed up on shore? The way this information is kept from the characters and the audience, only revealing the truth bit by bit towards the end, is one of the finest points about this movie and makes for exciting, intriguing and captivating viewing, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat at all times, right up to the shocking climax.
The difficulties in the couple’s marriage are never really discussed. You see two individuals barely talking, arguing about little things and Kate writing an article on her laptop. Later it is revealed that the relationship started to crumble after a lost pregnancy and a lack of communication between the two. This gradual revelation of the characters too also builds suspense and keeps a viewer interested to find out more.
The casting is perfect. Newton as a grieving woman, unable to express her feelings, successfully conveys the pain that Kate is going through, while Bell has moved on from the little lad we saw jumping and twirling about in Billy Elliot . He is a much more confident and mature actor, bringing this into his portrayal of a crazed and psychopathic individual with an inner secret he just wants to bury.
xx - posted on 23/05/2012 13:13:28
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