Submarine

A British coming of age yarn, Submarine is a touching comedy-drama from an unlikely source – its director is none other than Richard Ayoade, otherwise known as Maurice from the Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd.

15 year old Oliver Tate (Roberts) is a resident of Swansea, and he has one thing on his mind in particular – losing his virginity, and soon. His desired participant in this hoped-for consummation is his classmate Jordana, who is straight-talking and confident. However, in the fleeting moments when Oliver’s mind isn’t on the dirty deed, he spends his time worrying that his parents’ marriage may be on the rocks, as his mother (Hawkins) has begun spending far too much time with her new-age guru and ex-boyfriend - who has just moved next door. As events unfold, Oliver learns a few lessons about sex, life and love that he won’t soon forget.

The idea of a teen desperate to lose his virginity is far from original, and yet Ayoade’s debut film does not descend into typical gross-out comedy; it is not the British American Pie, and that’s a good thing. Instead there exists a gravity of emotion throughout, one that centres both the humorous and heartbreaking moments within Submarine. For instance, at one point Oliver contemplates poisoning Jordana’s dog to distract her from other sorrows in her life; a warped sentiment that’s equally misguided as it is honest, not to mention laughable.

Whilst it has its elements of self-aware filmmaking, such as a title sequence and a running voiceover narration, Submarine doesn’t ever feel like it’s trying too hard. This effective British film seems natural and effortless in all its emotional endeavours, be they funny, sad or fittingly mundane.

Luke Woellhaf