The Island Inside (2009) Poster

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6/10
Downbeat and sad film with unsettling characters well played by a good cast
ma-cortes27 January 2022
The depressing and brooding story of three brothers plagued by a painful illness : schizophrenia , they are the following ones : Candela Peña as Coral, Alberto San Juan as Martín and Cristina Marcos as Gracia , all of them attempt , each in his or her own way , to fight off the curse they have inherited . Their sick father's (Celso Bugallo) genetic legacy , which they have schlepped around their entire lives, is exacerbated by the strict and moralistic upbringing they received from their mother (Geraldine Chaplin) . The imminent death of their father will unite them to face their inner fears .

A new production of this competent film couple : Dunia Ayaso , Felix Sabroso that shows the personal imbalances of a family that lead to an internal war of each of their members . A thought-provoking film that gives a deep portrayal of a misfit family with weird characters ,dramatic incidents and tragic results . It has some attractive and careful dialogues by exhibiting an environment of moral misery in which the characters live , resulting in showing a deep loneliness on the main roles performed by three siblings and their parents . However , being an extremey stagy and claustrophobic pic due to everything takes place inside an apartment , school , Gran Canaria airport , hospitals and the exception for some enjoyable vistas from Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Las Palmas , Spain . Well written and directed , it seems to be brought to the big screen like a stage play at times , and performed by several of the the best actors in Spanish cinema , providing compelling performances . Here there's a deep analysis of the family institution , including envy , furtive loves , dark interests , illness and adultery . In La isla interior(2009) , words , gestures and interpretations take total prominence delivering the necessary goods , both entertain enough and bore , as well . It is particularly enjoyed when we approach the gestures , close-ups, and voices of the stunning cast . As here shows up notorious actors giving nice interpretation , such as Cristina Marcos , Alberto San Juan , Candela Peña , Geraldine Chaplin , Celso Bugallo and brief interpretations from Vicente Ayala , Paola Bontempi and Antonio de la Torre .

This thoughtful motion picture was professionally written and directed by Dunia Ayaso and Félix Sabroso. This couple of directors who are experts in comedies in this one their sixth film make a pure drama, although they had hinted at this change with their previous film , the dramedy ¨Los Años Desnudos¨ also starred by Candela Peña . They collaborated in various films until recent death of Dunia Ayaso . They made some attractive comedies , Such as : El grito en el cielo , Descongelate ! , Perdona bonita, pero Lucas me quería a mí , Los Años Desnudos , Fea , El tiempo de los monstruos , however this Isla interior 2009 turns out to be a strong drama . It won several prizes and nominations , such as : Iberoamerican Short Film Competition 2010 Winner "La Navaja de Buñuel" Award : Dunia Ayaso , Félix Sabroso . Nantes Spanish Film Festival 2010 Winner Jules Verne : Award Dunia Ayaso , Félix Sabroso. Valladolid International Film Festival 2009 Winner : Best Actor Alberto San Juan , Nominee Golden Spike Best Film Félix Sabroso , Dunia Ayaso. Rating : 5.5/10 . Passable and acceptable , but only for Spanish cinema enthusiasts.
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7/10
It runs in the family
JohnSeal17 June 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A worthwhile Spanish drama about family and genetics, La Isla Interior provides a powerful and sobering look at the crippling effects of mental illness. Cristina Marks stars as Gracia, one of three siblings re-united by the imminent death of their father. Also on hand are brother Miguel (Alberto San Juan) and sister Coral (Candela Pena), as well as dear old mum (Geraldine Chaplin). Dad has long suffered from schizophrenia and the family have long avoided dealing with its legacy, but his passing forces them to come to terms with his—and perhaps their—illness. Though deadly serious in intent, there's an underlying current of dark humor that works in the film's favor, and San Juan delivers a particularly strong performance.
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4/10
So Depressing
yespat17 September 2014
All the acting was good, scenery, everything like that but none of the characters made me want to care about them. And worse than that, the storyline just kept getting more and more depressing.

I gave it four stars because it was adequately well done but if I had known how dreadfully depressing it was with no redeeming characters, I surely would not have wasted my time.

And I agree that not every movie has to have a happy ending but I just cannot see enough of a reason to recommend this film.

The subtitles were better executed than most foreign films, though even those weren't perfect.

So if you want to have a down day, this is the film for you.
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