Executive produced by Ben Stiller, Submarine is the tale of Oliver Tate, a more than slightly awkward 15 year old facing the usual teenage problems of girls, parents and sullen self importance . Played by Craig Roberts, Oliver is out to impress classmate Jordana; by any means necessary. In the circumstances, Oliver makes it clear that he will stop at nothing, adjustments to character included. Oliver's relationships with his peers are strained; ranging from bullying to friendship and back as the story unfolds. The film is split into prologue, parts and epilogue, all of which deal with Oliver's struggles to gain/maintain young love and to solve the mystery of his parents relationship. Originally agreeing with his parents that the dissolution of his first love would be forgotten in later life, Oliver realises through his observations that this is not the case and sets about correcting the wrongs with varying degrees of success. Encounters with mystic ninjas, teachers and girlfriends parents all pepper the path of the young man who couples a strange life experience with the delusions of the teenage mind. Foray's into French crooner's, Nietzsche and JD Salinger will be all too real for many of us.
I am going to overlook the Rushmore comparisons as they have almost become a shortcut to actual debate over the merits of Ayoade's debut film. We all have influences, whether we choose to acknowledge them or not makes little difference to our output. Derivative or not... it doesn't really matter for the purpose of 97 minutes enjoyment. If you feel differently then most of the other reviews I have read of Submarine cater just for you. Instead I am going to compare the film to the more recent Youth in Revolt. Although Submarine is altogether more British, the comparisons fall within the first person delivery of an often third person narrative and also in the protagonists struggles to balance love and family. Oliver's quirks are slightly more manic than those of Michael Cera's character. The parental investigations and letters are a particular source of humour throughout.
One of the main successes of the film is in the characterisation which is comedic enough in its delivery to keep you laughing (sometimes uncomfortably) but also human enough to allow projection of yourself into Oliver's shoes, burnt leg hairs and all. Submarine probably gives the closest on-screen representation of my childhood that I have seen committed to film since The Omen. The daydreams and fantasies of the actions of your country in the event of ones death are particularly nostalgic.
I have to admit to not being a huge fan of British comedy in general and although I would not label Submarine as an out and out comedy film I can't recommend it enough. While the film clearly won't suit the tastes of everyone it is, in my opinion, the best British film since Made in England. The film is refreshingly funny, and dry enough in its humour to elevate it above any kind of awkward rom-com status.
One slightly disturbing addendum came on exiting the screening when an older lady declared that, although she felt the film was great, and that Ayoade would struggle to make better, she felt that the film was very much like The Hangover. Yup, the Bradley Cooper Vegas caper. This has got me a bit worried. I am no longer sure I saw the right film. I did have a wee nap before it started and may have dreamt the whole thing. If that is the case then my apologies for wasting your time. If, as I expect, the comparison was slightly stretching we must remember it is easy to confuse the industrial wastelands of Wales for the casino's of Las Vegas.
Official Site - http://warp.net/films/submarine
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