Film review

Submarineby Patrycja Pencarska

The heart-warming characters, hilarious triviality and an extreme awkwardness of a teenage boy, all captured in wonderful retro scenery are now crucial to the success of new wave for the coming-of-age movies.

The brilliant debut film from Richard Ayode – “Submarine” is an inspiring and refreshing sensation to the British film industry based on Joe Dunthorne’s novel. The awkward comedy, full of discomfort and teenage angst draws you in straight away and takes you back in time to the picturesque Swansea of the 80s. While portraying a range of themes – from adolescence and relationships to depression and death, the film captivates the audience into a journey through a mind of troubled and sexually frustrated teenager.

Fifteen years old Oliver Tate, played by the eccentric Craig Robert, endures his dreary, everyday routines by creating the alternate realities in his head. But, really – it’s quickly established that the boy has two big ambitions in his life: losing his virginity to a strangely seductive yet completely reclusive classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige) and saving his parents’ marriage. The storyline gets more and more twisted after Oliver’s first kiss, which supposedly “tasted of sour milk, Polo mints and Dunhill International,” as his mother is allegedly cheating on dad – too wrapped up in his own misery to realize what is going on.

The outstanding performance from the entire crew – especially the excellent skills of the youngest actors, greatly enhanced the complex and heart-warming characters. Peculiar yet completely adorable Oliver and his beloved Jordana create a compelling and accurate portrayal of the teenage romance accompanied by sexual tension. Beside the quality of acting, the perceptive visual tricks and savvy camera work coming from the director, established the vintage setting and effectively enthralled viewers, displaying a range of shots and visualizing the summary of the events with a creative and unique approach. Including “breaking the fourth wall” and using the characters to communicate with the audience seems like a clever technique to add elements of drama to the film, but more importantly – get even more subtle humour into the storyline. And finally – the soundtrack: absolutely mesmerising and soothing composition of indie music, being a magnificent work of art on its own, accomplished movie’s light-hearted feel with a hint of mystery.

Bizarrely charming, brutally honest and incredibly humorous account of youth seen with the eyes of a teenage guy, who spends his free time either fantasising about suicide or being “the best boyfriend in the world” is an intriguing blend of a laid-back comedy with many awkward elements of adolescent’s drama. Whether it’s due to quirkiness of Oliver, his mother’s infidelity or perhaps Jordana’s pyromaniac tendencies, it is almost certain that the characters from “Submarine” will linger with you after the last credits disappear.

Abnormally phenomenal!