Albatross (2012)
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Cast
as Emelia
as Jonathan
as Joa
as Grandpa
as Beth
as Jake
as Mark
as Grandma
as Posey
as Manager
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Critic Reviews for Albatross
All Critics (22) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (12)
Charmingly low-key, the British coming-of-age drama "Albatross" offsets slack plotting with creative casting and sensitive performances.
The lack of subtlety makes the story's familiar beats only more obvious.
The performances are compelling (although Jones is underused) but the thin narrative is less instructive of the strange way female friendships operate than of the way stories get recycled.
Albatross shifts from indie fairy tale to farce, only to accept its fate as a coming-of-age melodrama.
Innocence is lost -- as well as 90 minutes of your precious, precious time.
There are dimensions to Emelia that are welcome, but often rudely condensed by director Niall McCormick, who burns through the picture in 85 minutes, never lingering long enough on domestic tension or behavioral awareness.
Audience Reviews for Albatross
"Albatross" starts with a kiss between Emilia Conan Doyle(Jessica Brown Findlay) and Jake(Harry Treadaway) before the firecrackers. That explains why Emilia gets to ride in a police car on the way to her first day of work as a maid at a guesthouse where Beth(Felicity Jones) is tending the front desk while studying, so her dad(Sebastian Koch) can pretend he is writing upstairs while actually masturbating. So, it is a surprise to Beth's mother(Julia Ormond) that Emilia gets invited round to dinner, to which she brings a bottle of wine that she flashed her ID for. "Albatross" starts promisingly enough but then stalls in a sea of quirkiness. That's not to mention going the old tired route of a disruptive force introduced to a family going nowhere and liberating everybody. And with predictable results. Plus stereotypes. The writing angle might have had a chance if played correctly which it isn't as it is thrown to the curbside in the most desultory manner imaginable. Instead, it seems all the characters are suffering under the weight of the past, especially Beth who has to deal with her parents. However, the actors do a good job trying to breathe life into such cliches while very much out of their usual comfort zones. Nice scenery, though.
Super Reviewer
Decent movie. A little slow. Nice ending...
Super Reviewer
Excellent movie free spirited girl meets strictly raised girl and the fun begins, all while the free spirited girl has an affair with girls father, my review sucks the movie is outstanding, a must see. 5 stars 10-1-12
Super Reviewer
Albatross Quotes
| Emelia: | I found these miraculous claw like appendages at the end of my arms and they were ideal for clutching blunt instruments, such as this pencil. |
| Emelia: | I can't do this to Beth anymore. |
| Beth: | She's great isn't she Dad? |
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