Richard Ayoade's debut movie Submarine is most easily described as a dark comedy which documents the coming of age of Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), a teenager living in small town-Wales during the 1980s. However, Ayoade's direction and screenplay ensure the movie is head and tails above the likes of the usual teen comedies out there (if like me, you sat through Easy-A recently, you'll have my sympathy). Ayoade doesn't give us an adult's view of adolescence, distorted over the years - he takes us back through time to experience it firsthand (if knowingly).
Oliver is navigating the tricky terrain of first love with Jordana (Yasmin Paige), a pyromaniac almost permanently attached to a red duffle coat reminiscent of that in Don't Look Now, whilst also tackling his fears about his parents' marriage (Oliver's mother appears to be dallying with former flame turned mystic Graham, played with hilarious aplomb by Paddy Considine).
Story and style blend beautifully in this movie, with a self-consciousness which though reminiscent of Wes Anderson, remains idiosyncratically British. Sophisticated visual flourishes and a corking soundtrack from the Arctic Monkey's Alex Turner maximise the 'cool' quotient considerably. But the script, sharply observed comedy and brilliant performances ensure that this is more than just a hipster movie. Anyone who grew up in the eighties, with any wherewithal at all, will adore this film. Ayoade's past TV projects, The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd and Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, are sure to divide opinion more harshly than Submarine - for amidst the movie's self-reflexism and irony lies a genuine tenderness. All the milestones of adolescence are here, amplified through Oliver's narrative and Ayoade's magpie approach to cinematography (think: super 8 film, cartoons, freeze frames). School bullies, first kisses, parents failing to engage with their kids about sex (Noah Taylor as Oliver's dad is stand out). It's all here. In capturing the beautiful weirdness of adolescence whilst garnering many laughs, Ayoade has set the bar high for his next project, and I can't wait.
Meanwhile, this movie has done nothing to quell our ardour to live in Wales. As I dream, enjoy the trailer for Alex Turner's soundtrack below.
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