Can a person truly move on from an unimaginable loss, or are some wounds too deep to ever fully heal? This central question lies at the heart of a poignant new British drama that examines the raw edges of sorrow.
The film centers on Anne, a woman in her forties vacationing alone on the sun-drenched island of Lanzarote. Clad entirely in black and maintaining a solemn demeanor, she is a stark contrast to the cheerful tourists around her. Anne does not speak. To communicate, she uses a notebook containing a simple, telling statement: “I’m not deaf. I just don’t speak.”
It becomes clear that her silence is a conscious choice, a direct result of a profound personal tragedy. This emotional chasm is captured in her demeanor; she is distant and often visibly impatient in her limited interactions with others. The burden of portraying such a character falls heavily on non-verbal expression, and the lead actress conveys a world of pain and intelligence through her eyes alone.
While this silent performance is powerful, the narrative structure presents a challenge. The story unfolds without flashbacks, leaving the audience to piece together the fragments of Anne’s past from subtle clues like a cherished photograph. Her solitary path is interrupted by a chance encounter with Bill, a gregarious Irishman also on holiday. Played with warmth and sympathy, Bill is a well-meaning, if socially awkward, man trying to create a happy diversion for his children after a difficult divorce.
Their dynamic forms the core of the film: where Anne is defined by her silence, Bill is defined by his incessant chatter, leading to a series of awkward yet occasionally humorous exchanges. While the premise of two opposites connecting is compelling, the screenplay ultimately grapples with the complexity of its own themes. The exploration of Anne’s profound grief and the potential for connection doesn’t quite coalesce into a fully satisfying whole, leaving some narrative threads feeling unresolved.
The drama is scheduled for release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland.
