'I suppose it's a bit of an affectation but I often wish there was a film crew following my every move...'

Submarine

Many of you may have heard of this film due it’s being the directorial debut of Richard Ayoade, more commonly known as Moss from the I.T Crowd. This British film features known actors such as Sally Hawkins and Paddy Considine as well as newcomers such as the particularly brilliant Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige.

The film is set in Swansea, Wales and tells the story of Oliver Tate played by Craig Roberts. He offers a highly comedic and dead pan portrayal of life at school, home and the bizarre characters he meets in between. He believes his life should be followed by a film crew, catching his every move as he realises his unique and startling identity. 

Tate is funny, loveable and completely deluded with an overblown sense of self importance yet vulnerable and scared, as teenage boys can be. He falls for Jordana, the rebellious girl who enjoys the misfortune of others and burning leg air with a lighter. When she returns his affections all seems rosy for Oliver until his depressed father Lloyd, played by Noah Taylor, fails to notice the affair his wife Jill is having, played by Sally Hawkins, which threatens both Oliver’s relationship and his family life. The object of his mother’s affections is Graham, played by Paddy Considine whose ludicrous hair and hilarious motivational videos provide a lot of comedy.

The film deals with serious subjects such as brain tumours, adultery and depression but for every touching moment when the audience is on the verge of tears a line of dialogue is offered so blunt and shocking you cannot help but to laugh. It is honest about the perils of teenage life with bullying, first kisses and being stabbed with compasses! 

Despite being set in the seventies this film transcends eras for everyone who ever went to High school or eavesdropped on their parent’s conversations. I hope this spells many more films from Richard Ayoade who impresses with beautiful cinematography, unique editing and shooting skills to leave the images burned into your brain as you leave the cinema. British films such as this should receive more advertisement and exhibition and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys black humour and slightly odd but endearing films. The trailer alone I think is very persuasive...

Emily x