Submarine

Being a Richard Ayoade fan, I looked forward to seeing "Submarine" and I was not disappointed. Ayoade has made a beautifully shot, poignant, and funny film that's well worth seeking out. The film follows young Oliver Tate (brilliantly played by Craig Roberts) and the manipulative girl who would be love of his life, Jordana Bevan (Yasmin Paige) through a series of darkly funny scenarios involving bullying in a Welsh school and coming of age. It's obvious given Ayoade as the creator behind this that there would be no end of peculiarities, and there certainly are (I love, for instance, the concept that Oliver has his parents under surveillance).The film is in three distinct parts, much like "Schizopolis", only more linear and accessible, but has strange tangents at all times (there's a ninja love child subplot, and Oliver's Dad is a pushover ichthyologist). Against the background of his parent's marital strife, there's an astonishingly hilarious performance by Paddy Considine as New Age charlatan Graham Purvis. Oliver believes his mother is having an affair with Purvis, and seeks to intervene. This can only go smoothly, as you might imagine. (I was also extremely amused by Considine's utterly ridiculous mullet.)The strange twists and turns of interpersonal drama work brilliantly here, and very serious themes emerge that darken the film, yet it's always lyrically heartfelt. Oliver's startling theories of personal interactions are amusing, and the actors are all unfailingly great in their roles. I particularly enjoyed the ambiguous but beautiful ending.The DVD features several extras including deleted scenes (highly recommended; I especially loved the scene involving the word "nonage".) "The Making of Submarine" really shows Ayoade off to terrific effect; he's very interesting and intelligent, as are Roberts and Paige.This is so well done, it's almost hard for me to believe it's Ayoade's first feature film. Despite some of the themes being dark on their own, watching this movie is a charming experience that will surely please anyone who truly loves film.

This is the best film so far that I watched in 2016. Wait, how many films that I watched in 2016 because it's been only 18 days since 2016?Well, I watched 2 movies everyday before I go to sleep. And they are all good ones. I don't go to theaters that much since I buy a lot of dvds and blurays.Anyway, I really had small information about this film before watching it. And I was so much surprised when I opened the movie.My eyes were popped everytime till the end and my head was spinning, I mean literally.The camera was moving everytime not like other movies and that made the movie very interesting, the editing always made the movie very fun, (sometimes like one of those Chan Wook Park's movie-Oldboy)) the art work made my eyes happy(Visually stunning), and most of all the acting was more then great.This movie is about coming of age. It seems that you've heard thousand time before? Well not at all.Well, there was boy's first experience, trouble with his parent's relationship, trouble at school. Also sound familiar? Well still nope.If I tell you more stories, you will keep tell me that they are familiar. and I will tell you your wrong. We are in a different page. Because how the director tell the story is totally different.This is brand new. Gorgeous music, Great kid actors, wonderful supporting adult actors, and dream like art and locations. And most of all how he tells the story.Also I should not forget to tell you is, the music was great. It was more then great.I felt like I went to somewhere like in mars for 2 hours. Having an exotic tour.I was so happy and I already want to go there again.This movie reminded me of French film like <LEOLO><TOTO LE HERO>or even some of the TIM BURTON's films. But I wouldn't say that loud because this was even better. What? Really? Just watch it.I am so sad that I couldn't watch this film in the theater.This is that great.

We were super entertained. Craig Roberts is awesome in this early role - he's also great in the show Red Oaks which is on Prime (gee I wish they were paying me, but nope). Sally Hawkins is great in a supporting role. All the actors are excellent, in fact. Loads of fun, sometimes uncomfortable, but it always comes 'round, as the Welsh folks might put it.

A unique coming of age story featuring a 15 year old Oliver wrestling with his first serious relationship and the possible break-up of his parents marriage. Set and filmed in Wales with an excellent score by Alex Turner the story follows Oliver as he pursues a girl, Jordana, who like Oliver is a bit different from their peers. As the relationship unfolds Oliver learns his parents marriage is under stress when an ex-boyfried of his mothers moves next door. His father, seeminly clinically depressed over job and career issues seems indifferent to his wife's boredom with the marriage and possible infidelity. Oliver struggles to bring his parents together while pursuing Jordana. When it is revealed Jordana's mother has a life threatening illness, Oliver pulls away from her, seemingly dooming the relationship.Through a host of vignettes, some funny, some quite moving, Oliver has to come to terms with his parents challenges and understand himself as a human being and learn that important relationships sometimes require painful commitment to achieve.Beautifully acted, the story is intercut with flash to fantasy moments the segue nicely to the story. The Welsh town and surrounding scenery is not often seen in America on film, and it is quite charming and contributes to the texture of a well told story. The film was Executive Produced by Ben Stiller, and the roles of Oliver and his parents are reminiscent of a number of Stiller works about relationships. It is easy to see why Mr. Stiller was attracted to the film.