A una isla de ti (Spanish) [An Island Away From You]

While this rom com shows real potential, it ultimately fails to cash in on it. The concept sounds fun on paper and possesses the makings of a genuinely funny film, yet the execution never quite gets there. Instead of attempting anything bold or memorable, the movie settles for doing just enough to keep you watching, leaving even the central romance feeling pretty flat.

After being left at the altar on his wedding day, London chef Harry is whisked away to the Canary Islands by his best friend, Yaiza, who hopes the trip will help him recover from the devastation. Upon arrival, Yaiza realizes her friends have committed to hosting a wedding event that could significantly boost their business, yet they lack a chef. To distract himself from thoughts of his ex, Harry offers to step in and handle the cooking. His trip takes a turn one night when, after getting quite drunk, he nearly drowns in the ocean and is rescued by an incredibly good looking stranger. The two share a kiss on the beach before Yaiza finds Harry and brings him back to her family home—a resort run by her wonderfully eccentric mother and her father, Ivan, who works occasionally as a fisherman. It turns out Ivan is the mystery guy who saved Harry. Although they talk and agree the kiss was nothing more than a mistake, the situation evolves when the brides request traditional local dishes for the wedding. Yaiza suggests Harry take cooking lessons from her dad, an excellent chef, and Harry reluctantly agrees, largely out of care for Yaiza. As they work together, the two men slowly move past their awkwardness and grow closer. Harry finds himself falling for the culture, the people, and the island itself, eventually falling for Ivan too. While Yaiza is initially stunned when she discovers the romance, she eventually comes around to it. Some drama ensues once Ivan realizes Harry is scheduled to head back to London soon, but in true rom com fashion, love wins out in the end.

Rather than feeling like a movie, this experience leans more toward a glossy ad for the Canary Islands, functioning as a feel-good escape that prioritizes showcasing the scenery, food, and culture. While the core idea is sweet, the plot is incredibly easy to see coming from a mile away. The romance between Harry and Ivan is believable enough, though it relies on some pretty convenient plot turns and lacks significant tension or conflict as the relationship develops. You are expected to buy that Harry falls for his best friend’s dad, and I suppose it works because Ivan is not exactly old—Yaiza was born when her parents were only twenty—and he is genuinely charming. Given how sexy, rough, and manly Ivan is, I do not blame Harry, even if you have to wonder if this is the right moment for him to jump into something new while still reeling from heartbreak. Ivan is bisexual but seems uneasy about being open about it. The writing never manages to rise above being a pretty average rom com; there was room to make something way more fun and unexpected, but it just plays out like a tourism ad for the islands instead. Even the mom’s storyline, intended to provide comic relief through her wild stories, didn’t really land for me. Across the board, the cast all do a solid enough job. It is not a bad film exactly, but it is just not one you will remember, which is kind of a bummer considering how much more it could’ve been.

Ultimately, this rom com plays it far too safe; despite a charming setting, the execution is forgettable. (5.5/10)