Nerds That Geek Movie Review: 'Bokeh'

Written by Scott Edwards

Some people have the hardest time when it comes to not having interaction with others. While this can be a good thing, since they like to be involved with other people, there is nothing wrong with wanting to take a break from it as well. As a person that previously could not stand being around people and was happy to be alone most of the time, because let’s be honest here, it is hard to read a book when people are talking to you, I have broken out of that mold and love being able to chat with people, even if it is for a short period of time. While there is nothing wrong with either of these lifestyles, there is something to be said about some human contact, even if it is just saying hi, to help keep you from losing your mind.
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While on vacation in Iceland, Riley and Jenai are having the time of their lives. Riley is in heaven taking pictures of life with his old school camera and Jenai is enjoying just taking in the sights. While the two do not have a worry in the world while on their trip, Jenai is not above giving her man a hard time about his camera. While digital photos are all the rage, Riley refuses to break from his norm, because film offers so much more and a deeper look into the soul of what he is shooting. But this discussion is nothing compared to what the couple will be faced with as their trip takes a turn for the worse.

Waking up around ten in the morning, Riley is ready for breakfast and is forced to drag his love out of bed. Making their way down to the hotel restaurant and not being able to find anyone manning it, they decide to hit up one of the local shops to get some food. But when walking outside, they both notice that they are the only ones moving around town. Knocking on doors and yelling down the streets, the town has been vacated without reason. Trying to come up with some sort of idea of what is happening around them, they are able to locate a car and drive all over the island, but their search comes up with no forms of life anywhere.

Not being able to get ahold of her family, Jenai becomes more distressed, since there had to be something bad that happened, but there is nothing on the blank news channels or the internet that can back that up. Seeing that the world has left them in its wake, Riley decides to make the best of it and is able to live out some of the dreams he was not able to in the world they once knew. Seeing the fun that her man is having, Jenai lets go of her fears for a short time, but when Riley gets hurt goofing around, things start to become real for her, because if either one of them get seriously injured, there is no one that can help and that puts her situation back in the forefront. Not being able to find anyone else in the city is worrisome for the couple, but when an old man comes out of the woodwork, things become all too real for Jenai and the fun that the couple could have becomes an afterthought as she puts her mortality into perspective. 

Yikes and damn are the two words that come to mind after watching this movie. While it seems like the young couple can live out their lives on the island without any issues, the lack of people and knowing what happened to them is too much for them to overcome. I must admit that I liked Riley’s ideas about living life to the fullest and being able to get away with anything that he wanted to do. I really liked seeing Jenai start to open up and enjoy herself, even though it was only for a minute before real life started to settle back in for her. This movie features a good story in a place where you don’t have to worry about a nuclear meltdown taking place with the lack of people, I was very impressed. With a happy couple, a beautiful landscape, plenty to do, no one around to bother you and a lack of humanity, it leaves you wondering what you would do if your life was turned upside down with a lack of people. I will openly admit, if this happened, I would rather be in Iceland than anywhere else, but I would make sure to take a book along with me.  

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