I usually enjoy films that are witty, stylistically funny and a bit quirky. For that reason alone, I enjoyed Richard Ayoade's Submarine. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to, mostly due to the quick moving story and dialogue, both of which were fun at the beginning, but became quite tiresome as the ninety minutes length wore on.
The film opens on 15-year-old Oliver Tate, sitting silently in a classroom, thinking about the outpouring of sympathy that would result from his untimely death. To say that his views are largely delusional is a mild understatement. But it is this type of comedy that makes Submarine work; well, for the most part anyway.
Craig Roberts gives an energetic and fun performance as Tate, and Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins is undeniably brilliant as his mother Jill. Together the duo hatch-up some of the film's most noteworthy scenes, including when she and Tate discusses her potential affair.
The film is unique and clever to say the least. Tate shares his wisdom on how he knows if his parents have had sex (the light dimmer gives that one away) and the complexity of women. His courageous attempts to land a girlfriend are quite amusing, and his ideal atmosphere in which to have lose his virginity is downright hilarious.
Submarine bears a strong English tone; one that won't fit well with all viewers. I personally found the film lighthearted fun though I must admit, it should have been fifteen minutes shorter. With that said, it is still one to check out. More than likely I would have enjoyed it far more had I not seen it mid-festival.
