Tom Hiddleston’s Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with Audiences

by

Tom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with Audiences

Quick Links

  • A Family Drama Starring Loki’s Tom Hiddleston
  • Audiences Found It Hard to Relate to Archipelago

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours delving into the depths of both mainstream and independent cinema, I must say that Archipelago is a film that truly stands out. Its unique approach to character-driven drama, coupled with its striking visuals and exceptional performances, made it a captivating watch for me.

I can’t help but admire Tom Hiddleston, a captivating English actor who has enthralled audiences worldwide with his portrayal of the enigmatic Norse God Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2011. His magnetic smile and compelling line delivery have won him a legion of dedicated fans. However, what many may not realize is that Hiddleston is a classically trained actor, having graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2005. Despite a slow start to his career, he nurtured a close relationship with director Joanna Hogg during those quieter years, and they both made their silver screen debut together in her 2007 movie “Unrelated.

Three years past, one of the English director’s most debated films hit the screens – the drama movie titled “Archipelago”, focusing on familial bonds and turmoil. On Rotten Tomatoes, it earned a 96% approval rating from critics but only 59% from viewers, showcasing a substantial gap. Now, let’s delve into this film and understand why critics acclaimed it as the pinnacle of Tom Hiddleston’s career in terms of ratings.

A Family Drama Starring Loki’s Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with Audiences

In “Archipelago,” Hiddleston’s character is Edward, a son from an upper-class English family, planning a journey to Africa to fight AIDS. Before he embarks on his adventure, his family arranges a farewell gathering at a house in the Isles of Scilly. Attending are his mother Patrica (Kate Fahy), sister Cynthia (Lydia Leonard), and perhaps his mother’s absent husband. Additionally, two unfamiliar individuals are present: Christopher (Christopher Baker), who is there to teach Patricia landscape painting, and Rose (Amy Lloyd), who will prepare meals during their stay.

Initially, the family feels elated to be reunited, but things quickly take a turn for the worse. Edward and Cynthia are frequently at odds, escalating to a point where Cynthia once more denies Rose the chance to dine with them all, stating she’s merely an employee. Additionally, Edward starts to question his mother’s motives as she seems to drop hints that he should abandon his charitable venture, although he doesn’t grasp why. Despite bringing along a girlfriend who was not included in the trip (causing him great frustration), Edward develops feelings for Rose and attempts to woo her. The journey concludes with the family members superficially making up, leaving Edward even more perplexed about his life’s path.

Archipelago Was a Critical Success for Its Portrayal of Family Struggles

Tom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with Audiences

The Archipelago garnered near-universal acclaim from critics, boasting an impressive 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s innovative setup, featuring a closed environment in an open natural setting, captivated audiences with its intriguing premise. With limited dialogue and carefully composed shots, the characters’ actions and expressions became key elements of the plot development. Additionally, the non-professional actors playing the painter and a chef lent an endearing authenticity to the performances of the more experienced actors.

In the movie Archipelago, there’s hardly a title more fitting than this one. Archipelagos consist of islands close enough to each other but never touching. Similarly, the characters in this film are like separate islands within an archipelago, compelled to coexist yet maintaining their individuality and rarely interacting meaningfully. This arrangement creates a poignantly depicted canvas of family dynamics, particularly among grown-up children, and more pointedly, upper-class families where open expressions might be challenging.

Audiences Found It Hard to Relate to Archipelago

Tom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with AudiencesTom Hiddleston's Archipelago Was a Critical Hit, But Rotten with Audiences

Regular viewers didn’t enjoy “Archipelago” as much as professional critics did. Despite a 59% audience rating, which isn’t the lowest on the platform, it was unexpected to see such a significant difference between critic and audience opinions, given that it stars Tom Hiddleston. If fans of Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) watch “Archipelago” hoping for a high-octane action movie, they might be disappointed. However, the main reason for this disparity might be due to the film’s focus on the family issues within an upper-class family, which could have been unexpected for some viewers.

At the moment, the top three films on Letterboxd are “Fight Club“, “Joker“, and “Parasite“. These movies all explore themes of not fitting in and harsh treatment by life. Particularly, “Parasite” addresses class disparities, causing audiences to empathize with a struggling lower-income family. This subject matter mirrors the general sentiment among the middle class in today’s socio-political environment. Some viewers might find less appeal in the hardships portrayed in “Archipelago“, which focuses on the lives of those who can afford luxuries like a large island home, art classes, or personal chefs, potentially hurting its overall reception.

In many opinions, Archipelago isn’t a poor film at all. This movie offers a deep exploration of family dynamics through its subtle dialogue and extended shots of the family members who can’t seem to unite. However, it might be criticized for two reasons: firstly, the main actor’s later fame may have overshadowed the film’s modest charms; secondly, it tackles upper-class issues which some viewers may find difficult to connect with. Despite these points, it is an exceptional performance by Hiddleston and his co-stars, making it a must-watch for genuine cinema enthusiasts. Archipelago can be rented on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Read More

2024-09-23 00:31