“Submarine” (2010) by The IT Crowd’s Richard Ayoade is a touching coming-of-age movie revolving around dreamy 15-year-old Oliver Tate’s little life in the Welsh countryside. Even if the themes it develops are rather classic, the film has a real freshness about it and its setting in the eighties gives the scenes a genuine feel, unalduterated by today’s over-connected, over-sexualised and seemingly blasé youth (do I sound desperate about the Facebook generation?). As all boys are, Oliver is completely obsessed with girls and thinks it’s high time he went beyond simply making out with the ladies. Unexpectedly he falls in love with Jordana (Yasmin Paige), a very cheeky lass who clearly wants some attention. The school kids get up to no good, but it seems that in Wales nothing can get too ugly, so it’s all fine. Just as Oliver and Jordana’s relationship develops, that of Oliver’s parents seems to be falling to bits. Indeed, Oliver’s mum might be getting a crush for her old flame who just moved across the street and has turned into a (hilarious) meditation guru/con-man…
“Submarine” is a bittersweet comedy with talented actors (Craig Roberts is really funny as Oliver Tate), superb scenery which must have been sponsored by the Welsh Tourist Board (I really want to go now), lots of quirky characters with hobby-horses, some very creative shots and great sensibility in the film direction overall. Maybe not unforgettable but a truly enjoyable moment indeed!
Filmgeist 