Albatross

2011 Comedy Drama

17 year old writer Emelia Conan-Doyle (Jessica Brown Findlay) aspires to follow in the footsteps of her famous grandfather while working at a seaside resort, and strikes up a friendship that will change her life. Jonathan (Sebastian Koch) is a novelist suffering from a bad case of writer's block. He's just brought his family to a posh hotel near the sea when his studious daughter Beth (Felicity Jones) begins hanging out with free-spirited Emilia. Meanwhile, Jonathan offers to teach Emilia creative writing, and temptations rears its ugly head as his career-driven wife (Julia Ormond) grows increasingly frustrated.

Director: Niall MacCormick

Starring: Harry Treadaway, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Hazel Douglas, Katie Overd, Alexis Zegerman

 25 Reviews  2 Awards

Reviews

  • Niall MacCormick's direction, while unfocused, locates a sweet center in the bonding of the two young girls, effortlessly capturing the way unexpected friendship, like first love, can completely alter the look of the world.

    Jeannette Catsoulis - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • Brown Findlay, reportedly cast before she filmed "Downton Abbey," is a real find. Germany's Koch suggests astute fishing beyond the obvious casting pools, and Ormond clearly relishes her change-of-pace role as tough, casually profane Joa.

    - Variety

    29 November 2012

  • A startling performace from Findlay doesn't quite make up for a disappointing third act.

    - Empire

    29 November 2012

  • By the time a disillusioned, grimly deflowered Beth leaves for school wearing her ex-friend's "I Put Out" T-shirt, tonal whiplash has eaten up the pleasures of this otherwise well-cast, evocatively shot small-town trifle.

    - Village Voice

    29 November 2012

  • 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.

    Mary Pols - Time

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best Supporting Actress

    British Independent Film Awards (2011)

     

  • Most Promising Newcomer

    Evening Standard British Film Awards (2012)

     

Lists

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