When a big city businessman’s dream vacation breaks down, he ends up trapped on a remote island with an easy-going pilot and as dangers pop up, they must work together to escape alive.

Think: Cast Away meets Six Days, Seven Nights 

SYNOPSIS:

Patrick loves his high-paying job, the life it gives him, and all the romances it allows. Jessica, his open-relationship partner, agrees. But one evening Patrick is hit with a plea from his parents: settle down or you’ll regret it. This means, stopping the endless amusements of upper-class NYC life, having a truly unique experience… and proposing. Patrick is almost 40, it’s now or never. Patrick is surprised to learn that Jessica seems to think the same, she’s booked an exclusive trip to Tahiti and the surrounding islands. At work, Patrick pulls strings, sets his staff on a project they’ve discussed, and tells them he’s going to Upstate NY… but goes to Tahiti.

The trip includes a big hotel and airfare to a remote resort where Patrick and Jessica enjoy a nice evening. Patrick keeps to his proposal plan even after meeting a charming ex-Air Force pilot, Christina, who has some hidden pains and who’s almost 39. Jessica also only flirts with another pilot, David… but crushingly rejects Patrick’s proposal saying that with this trip their relationship is perfect. Patrick says Jessica wants to keep the relationship open so she can romance David. Jessica accuses him of trying to get with Christina and runs off… and Patrick gets a work message to attend an e-meeting. With no suit or backdrop to fake Upstate NY, Patrick enlists Christina to fly him back to the big hotel. But a storm strands them on a remote island that may or may not be empty.

Patrick and Christina blame each other for the crash. She is deeply stung, storms off. Patrick explores the area but sees only jungle and a peak with a vista. Soon, they realize they must team up. Christina thinks there is a weather beacon up on the vista. On the way there, they bond via hometown stories. Christina is from Boston, NYC’s biggest baseball rival. Then all goodwill seems lost when there is no beacon as they hoped, Patrick gobbles an entire fish Christina caught, and they argue again. Patrick accuses her of being carefree and aimless in life, and Christina says why: she lost her parents in a freak accident and her Air Force career in a crew-killing crash soon after. Tahiti was her self-exile from grief. The island proves not empty as pirates capture them.

Back at the big hotel, Jessica calls Patrick’s parents, tells them he’s missing, and they set off for Tahiti. But Jessica, still carefree, sleeps with David before they arrive.

Held in a pirate camp, the leader offers Patrick and Christina an impossible situation where one of them will surely be stuck. However, Patrick uses his business pitch skills to woo the pirates with prospects of a food supply, while Christina uses her military skills for a diversion and to snag a toolbox. Another storm rolling in, they dash off in a jungle chase with a leap from a waterfall and the capture of a pursuing pirate. After hiding in a cave, Patrick shares that Jessica rejected his proposal but he’s still hopeful. Christina says she was set to fly with Air Force One before her crash, and that she’s lost drive in life… and it’s her 39th birthday tomorrow. The next morning, they spare the captured pirate and dash back to Christina’s plane with the toolbox. They manage to fix it just as the pirates close in, but the spared pirate slyly foils his mates’ capture plans allowing Christina and Patrick to fly off.

The plane is shot up, yet with Patrick’s support, Christina lands rough but they make it. But now Christina is alone with no family or livelihood, unlike Patrick who has a family and fiancée. Patrick’s father remarks he’s had a truly unique experience echoing his earlier words stirring Patrick who invites Christina to a thank-you lunch… much to Jessica’s chagrin. Patrick calls his company to learn his staff held the meeting and told their boss that he went on a special vacation: to propose, thus excusing his absence.

At lunch, David shows up to congratulate fellow pilot Christina on her emergency landing and saving a life. His appearance unnerves Jessica who’s told Patrick’s parents she accepted his proposal. Patrick sees between the lines and reflects on his wild ride with Christina, but she excuses herself and goes to sulk at a bar. Patrick calls out Jessica’s dishonesty and joins Christina for her happy birthday drink… and passionate kiss.

Prospective MPAA rating: Rated PG-13 for language, some action/violence and sexual content.

REMOTELY CLOSE