Over a decade beforeTom Hiddleston’s high-profile turn in the starring role of the MCU’sLoki, the British actor got his start on the big screen in the subdued, astute films ofJoanna Hogg. Graduating from his supporting role in Hogg’s feature directorial debut, 2007’sUnrelated, Hiddleston starred inArchipelagoin 2010as Edward, a late-twentysomething in existential crisis mode, who heads to a small island off the coast of England for an annual vacation with his mother and sister. What begins as a peaceful family holiday gradually turns south as longtime resentments, family trauma, and personal dilemmas bubble up to the surface, assemblingArchipelagoas an introspective and naturalistic domestic drama emblematic of Hogg’s skill as a writer/director that shows off the nuanced star-power of Hiddleston.On the heels of theLokiSeason 2 finale, now is an excellent time for Tom Hiddleston fans to check out one of the actor’s first leading roles on the silver screen.
Archipelago
Deep fractures within a family dynamic begin to surface during a getaway to the Isles of Scilly.
What Is ‘Archipelago’ About?
Archipelagoopens with its family of focus landing via helicopter in the Isles of Scilly –– no, not Sicily,Scilly–– a chain of islands off the Southwestern Coast of England, where the audience learns the clan has vacationed for many years. Surrounded by waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, Scilly is bizarrely subtropic; palm trees and other exotic plants exist in drastic contrast to the extra-English cottage where Edward (Hiddleston) and his posh family spend their holiday.
Awaiting the arrival of their father, Edward, his sister Cynthia (Lydia Leonard), and his mother Patricia (Kate Fahy) pass the time taking long walks around the island, riding bikes, and discussing Edward’s upcoming missionary trip that will take him to an unnamed country in Africa, where he will be volunteering as a health counselor working to combat HIV/AIDs. Served by their hired chef, Rose, who is from aworking-class part of Northern England, a restrained cordiality permeates every interaction between the characters, reflecting the privileged background the family comes from. Ennui, discontent, and resentment begin to show through the mannerly veneers the family members model, fraying their relationships, exposing their insecurities, andtransformingArchipelagointo a stealthily muted melodrama.
What Makes Tom Hiddestone’s ‘Archipelago’ Performance Strong?
Far from hisvillainous leading role inLoki,Hiddleston’s performance as Edward inArchipelagois exemplified by a brilliant insecurity and vulnerability, faultlessly reflective of the character’s dissatisfaction with his unfulfilling existence. Well into his late twenties, Edward’s decision to do aid work in Africa seems like a belated attempt to live out an idealistic effort to change the world, and his sister offhandedly questions his choice to leave his career in pursuit of this expedition so suddenly. Through all of his conversations, whether with the chef Rosie or a local artist who fancies his mother, Edward seems to be attempting to convince himself that he has strong moral convictions and a clear trajectory in his life, but to little success. By the latter part of theArchipelago, Edward is sitting at the dinner table, completely lost, saying, “I don’t know what I’m doing anyway. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Therich subtly of Joanna Hogg’s filmmakinginArchipelagostrongly informs the acting performances in her work, meaning that Hiddleston’s role as Edward likely required a lot of restraint and precision in its characterization. Scenes in the film are often held in extended single takes with a mostly static camera, pointing to the emphasis on the performances playing out within the frame.Hogg is also known for her unconventional screenplaysthat lean on actor improvisation. Edward’s disconcerted melancholy is well embodied by Hiddleston through his dialogue despite carrying much of the movie’s screen time. Simultaneously a people pleaser and an apologizer, Hiddleston characterizes Edward’s self-consciousness among both his family and Rose, whom he unknowingly othered due to her middle-class background. As a buttoned-up character in a film with great formal control,Hiddleston’s performance completely fulfills the nuanced torment of the role.
While Hiddleston did have a long career in theater and television beforeArchipelago, the movie served as his first major leading performance, and his remarkable turn as Edward undoubtedly influenced his esteemed career to come. In 2011, the year afterArchipelagowas released, Hiddlestone made his MCU debut as Loki inThor. This character continues to be his best-known and one of themost intriguing of the massive franchise. In the following years, Hiddleston’s career would lead him to work with some of cinema’s most iconic filmmakers, includingGuillermo Del Toro,Jim Jarmusch,Terence Davies, andSteven Spielberg.
Joanna Hogg’s Work Is Deeply Reflective of Her Life Experience
Although just Joanna Hogg’s second feature-length film,Archipelagoserves as a cornerstone for the themes and ideas that the British filmmaker would go on to explore in her other work. Movies like 2019’sThe Souvenircomment on the self-consciousness of its upper-class characters and the alienation they may feel, just like Edward and his family inArchipelago. Edward’s character works as an early archetype of the lost young figures that would go on to play central roles in her later movies.
Like this movie, Hogg’s filmography often explores complicated family dynamics and interpersonal relationships with a thoughtful sensibility. Coming from a privileged background herself,Hogg’s work commonly comes from a place of introspection intoher memories and life experiences, creating films that may feel formal or distancing at first glance but are profoundly personal in connection to the director’s life. Her last three films,The Souvenir,The Souvenir Part II(A24’s first sequel), andThe Eternal Daughterfrom 2022, are directly informed by Hogg’s past, in collaboration with one of her oldest and dearest friends, the eternally inspiringTilda Swinton. Swinton’s daughter, Honor Swinton Byrne, even made her film debut as a version of Hogg inThe Souvenirand its sequel. While many filmmakers look totheir own lives for inspirationat one point or another in their careers, few do so with such polish and thoughtfulness as Hogg.
‘Archipelago’ Put Hogg on Martin Scorsese’s Map
Martin Scorsese’sfirst experience with Hogg’s films was born through a screening ofArchipelago, a movie and a filmmaker that he quickly added to his radar after being so struck by it. During aninterview at the New York Film Festivala few years ago, Scorsese said of the discovery: “She’s amazing, Hogg… I just didn’t know her. I didn’t realize who made the picture. I had no idea if it was a man, woman, whatever. And it’s so great you can see films that way and not know who did it, and then find out. So you can look at it as art in and of itself, for itself. " This connection that Scorsese made withArchipelagowould lead to much fortune for Hogg:he has served as an executive producer on her past three films, opening her up to more significant opportunities to create the singular work she wants to make.
Revealing an incredible balance of intelligence and sensitivity,Archipelagonot only serves as an exceptional early work from Hogg but also a shining performance from Hiddleston as he made his way to becoming a major Hollywood star. Requiring an entirely contrasting sensibility from his action-packed characterization inLoki,Archipelagoproves Hiddleston’s multifaceted talent as an actor, one who picks and chooses dynamic and challenging roles thatrange from independent films to multi-million dollar blockbusters. While audiences may be glum to see the end ofLoki’s second season, they can watchArchipelagoand get their Hiddleston fix; it will surely be a rewarding experience.
Archipelagois available to rent on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.
