Photograph: screenshot

A masterful script and the talent and charm of the leading actors make the French film important. Suddenly Simon Morris writes about a couple stranded on a remote island and taking in a gripping view.

Called in New Zealand Suddenly for a reason – original title Soudain Seouls‘Suddenly Alone’ makes more sense; This French castaway thriller is based on a bestselling novel.

Directed by Thomas Bidegain, better known as the writer of award-winning films A Prophet And Rust and Bone – Gilles Lellouche and Mélanie Thierry play a married couple of adventurers traveling the world.

I say plural of “adventurers”. It’s clear that Laura isn’t as convinced of a life on the ocean waves as Ben is.

But when he decides to take a side trip to a remote island just south of Chile and just north of the Antarctic icebergs, she goes along with it.

However, as soon as they reach the island with their boats, an unexpected storm suddenly hits them. Since there is no way to return to their yacht, they take shelter in a deserted whaling station.

But when the storm passes, their yacht is no longer there. They are stranded and alone.

Of course, we’ve heard this story before; From fact-based castaways like Robinson Crusoe and real-life explorers Scott and Shackleton.

What’s the difference? Suddenly Are they a couple? With all the dynamics added to a story. And also this is fiction.

For all the well-known motto “truth is often stranger than fiction”, “weird” does not necessarily mean a good story.

If you want a narrative that makes sense, goes in unexpected directions but returns to a satisfying conclusion, fiction is usually the way to go.

Ben and Laura’s initial hope – that people will miss them and follow their steps to find them – turns out to be overly optimistic. And on an island at the end of the world, food is now the first priority and they can’t afford to be sentimental about it.

Tempers are fraying, long-submerged home truths are flaring up. Had they ever known each other?

And when reason prevails, if you get my drift, they discover that reconciliation brings with it repercussions that never occurred between Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday.

As winter approaches, getting outside becomes a priority.

I know, it sounds bleak and dreary; Two people are stranded on an island with no way out.

That this doesn’t happen is due in part to the masterful script and the skill and charm of Thierry and Lellouche.

But writer/director Bidegain is the film’s secret sauce. Suddenly It moves effortlessly from action to drama to tragedy, sometimes even close to romantic comedy.

For all the harrowing locales, it was all about the characters from start to finish. Attractive.