Greetings again from the darkness. With any discussion or article about relationships these days, there is inevitably a mention of 'red flags' ... warning signs in a potential partner that shouldn't be ignored. Thanks to writer-director Fernando Trueba (BELLE EPOQUE 1992, CHICO & RITA 2009) and co-writer Rylend Grant, there is now a movie that offers clear examples of red flags for those who can't manage to spot them without assistance.
Alex (Aida Folch) is a lovely young woman who can't swim or speak Greek. So of course, she applies for a job at a restaurant on a Greek island. It's a boutique joint, just opening, owned by Max (Matt Dillon). Alex is drawn to the mysterious Max. While she's a carefree open book, he's a tight-lipped private person. A local charmer and part of the staff, Chico (Juan Pablo Urrego) tells Alex, "Nobody knows Max." Unfortunately, this doesn't deter Alex and she continues to pursue her man.
One thing respected filmmaker Trueba gets right is the look of the film. Set in 2001, the Greek isle locale is breathtaking and the cinematography by Sergio Ivan Castano takes full advantage of the seaside setting, as well as the cute café and the cast of faces the cameras adore. Aida Folch has an initial likability that reminds me a bit of Valerie Kaprisky from BREATHLESS (1983), and Matt Dillon has been a big screen fixture for more than forty years. It's really the material that lets us down here. The romance is never quite as romantic as we'd hope, and the suspenseful aspects never generate the tension that we'd prefer. Mostly we just keep asking, "What is Alex doing? Why doesn't she bolt?" The aforementioned red flags are so obvious that the big reveal barely warrants a nod, and the finale is forced to go a bit over-the-top due to the unlikely actions of Alex. In spite of all that, the Greek isles are enticing.
In theaters and On Demand beginning September 27, 2024.
