Submarine

Plot synopsis:
Oliver Tate (Roberts) is a 15 year-old Swansea boy in 1986 who is convinced that he is an unrivalled genius who is widely loved by his classmates, when in fact he is pretentious and socially alienated. He is in love with a mischievous but straight-talking girl named Jordana (Paige) in his year, and goes as far as bullying an overweight classmate to impress her. One day she invites him to meet secretly after school, instructing him to bring a Polaroid camera and a diary. She takes pictures of them kissing, but it turns out to be a plan to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. The plan backfires, the two are publicly bullied, and Oliver is beaten up for refusing to call Jordana a massive slut. Walking home after their ordeal, she takes his hand and they kiss, and Oliver quickly establishes Jordana is his girlfriend.At home, Oliver becomes concerned that the relationship and sex life of his parents is falling apart and that his dad (Taylor) is depressed. Worse yet, new age guru Graham (Considine), an ex-boyfriend of his mother's (Hawkins), has moved in next door, and his seductive and flirtatious character is arousing Oliver's suspicions.Meanwhile Oliver's relationship with Jordana is growing, but he learns that her mother has developed a potentially fatal brain tumour. Oliver considers poisoning Jordana's beloved dog to make the death of her mother less painful. Later, he attends an early Christmas dinner at Jordana's house and he witnesses her father break down. Unsettled, he decides that the Jordana he loves is at risk because the emotional events surrounding her will "make her gooey on the inside". He cuts off contact with Jordana because he thinks it will make her ordeal easier, an example of his unintentionally cruel and incompetent social methods.Suspecting his mother and Graham are having an affair, and seeing that his father is depressed Oliver attempts to repair his parents' relationship. One night he finds that his mother and Graham have gone to the beach. He tracks them down there, and whilst searching for them on the crowded shore, sees Jordana with a new boyfriend. Heartbroken, he heads home, but on the way back, sees his mother with Graham, and assumes the worst. Enraged, he breaks into Graham's house, gets drunk, and commits minor acts of vandalism. When Graham comes home, he finds Oliver but returns him home with minimal fuss. The next morning, Oliver awakens to see that both his parents aren't angry with him, and are reconciling, although his mother admits that she gave Graham a handjob.However, Oliver is still distraught about losing Jordana and is unable to obtain an audience with her to explain his actions. Frustrated, he sulks for weeks, until he sees her on the beach. Running towards her he explains his actions, and learns that Jordana has broken up with her new boyfriend. Whether the young couple gets back together is left open.

Tags: psychological, entertaining

Review:
There's nothing better than walking into a screen to see the debut film by a writer and director – one that you have only heard very little about – and walking away 90 minutes later feeling more moved, entertained and uplifted by a movie than you have been in years.Perhaps cinema-goers in the mid 1990s had this experience upon seeing Wes Anderson's first film Bottle Rocket.
However, for those of you who, like me, were too young to witness the birth of these auteurs of independent cinema then you don't have to worry, because Richard Ayoade's film Submarine is almost as good as both of them put together.It tells the story of Oliver Tate who is caught at the junction between childhood and adulthood as he struggles with his first feelings of love, desire, heartbreak and must choose what path he wishes to take that'll define who he is for the rest of his life.Sure, it may sound somewhat similar to all the coming-of-age stories that have hit the cinema recently, but what makes Submarine so special is Richard Ayoade's ability to capture the essence of growing up; the joy, the optimism and the tenderness alongside all the angst, confusion and depression too.
I defy anyone to not see themselves plastered up on that silver screen in the film's opening as Oliver fantasises about the adoration and attention he'd receive if he died.The ups and downs of this British comedy are mainly due to Ayoade's wonderful screenplay and direction that are touching yet never slip into sentimentality - he often playfully pokes fun at it in many cases – but what also deserves credit are the poignant score by Arctic Monkey's singer Alex Turner, the cinematography that effortlessly shifts between comic framing and beautiful imagery and the note-perfect performances by the entire cast.Craig Roberts plays Oliver Tate in a star-making performance that will surely see him become one of Britain's finest young actors in the next few years.
It's essential to the story that she is a mystery to Oliver for much of Submarine's opening half, only revealing the reasons why she is so rebellious, unromantic and mischievous in the final act, and Page brilliantly portrays this with a careful mix of enigma, seductiveness and humanity.What also excels Ayoade's film from being just another British coming of age story is the stylishness of his direction.
Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) is like a young, Welsh hero of a Wes Anderson film.
Lloyd is like a grown-up, Welsh hero of a Wes Anderson film and I loved how they included the father of the protagonist as a main character and showed that although he was more mature, still not any more in tune with the ways of the world around him.It has some slightly dark twists, but "Submarine" succeeds because it never lets up the humour or the quirky tone.
I am normally a bit scared of coming-of-age movies, mainly because of potential cheesiness and annoying child actors but Submarine managed to an accurate, funny portrayal of the hell of teenage UK school life.
His father Lloyd (Noah Taylor) is so passive and uncaring that he is practically a zombie, and so Oliver takes it upon himself to rescue his parent's broken marriage whilst holding his own fragile relationship together.The film arrives amidst critical praise and festival word-of-mouth, and the promise of a real future talent in director Richard Ayoade.
It's a great little trick and you have to admire the film's refreshing self- assurance.The film is also very, very funny, with Craig Roberts proving an extremely talented comedy performer, all pale-skinned, wide-eyed awkwardness, and a pronounced, high pitched voice that almost resembles many of Ayoade's TV characters.
Jordana, with her eyes closed waiting for the surprise, opens them and deadpans 'f****n' hell, you're a serial killer.'A real gem, and a film that definitely introduces the potentially massive talent of director Richard Ayoade, star Craig Roberts, and Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner, who performs the wonderful music.
In one such hypothetical situation he sees Jordana (Yasmin Paige) by the shore and runs to her, meanwhile his narration explains that it isn't her standing there, a stranger turns around.Submarine is a simple coming of age story, without the solid plot of the British film veterans.
He spies on his very strange mother & father and tries to keep a relationship with his girlfriend, Jordana(Yasmin Paige) going with very mixed results.Writer-Director Richard Ayoade does a great job of keeping the pace moving with no wasted moments & a dialogue that is both witty & believable at the same time.
This is why Submarine is so unique and un- flinching in its presentation, it was made not to dictate but to reminisce, to inspire, to harness belief.As previously said, this is not a romance film, nor is it a love story, it's a charming tale of a young boy's brush with its radiant thorns and the repercussions it has within his mentally aged mind.
His light-yet-real approach to Joe Dunthorne's novel is simply majestic to watch, his artful touches shining through the lens and his playful British humour echoing through the words.It is both the fantastic performances and Dunthorne's sweet, sincere characters that the film rests upon, like an unmovable block of unbroken laughter, dramatically and comedically they are perfect.
Craig Roberts' portrayal of the odd and pretentious teen Oliver Tate will surely never melt the hearts of the audience (his creepy involvement with his parents' relationship giving him eerie edge) but will capture their thoughts in a state of nostalgia and inspiration.
His heartfelt voice-overs fill the picture with truth and his exaggerated weirdness is a sign of humanity and in-difference among the many, highlighting his alienation and truly bringing him into the centre of the entire story, allowing him to never be over-taken by Sally Hawkins' emotionally forgiving mother or Paddy Considine's deluded dancer.There are no heroes within the piece, but a horde of under-appreciated and rarely recognised talent that fit so beautifully together like an artfully complacent jigsaw.
He truly has created something wonderful.Submarine is a unique and telling tale of teenage life, possibly the most truthful ever filmed, and Ayoade's fitting involvement allows it to be carefully broadcast into the minds of the many, un-spoilt and emotionally aware in its presentation.
It's appeal will spread from similarly precocious teenagers to nostalgic seniors thanks to the not-to-distant-past setting, yanking away the technological nightmares that lay within modern romance and leaving behind the bare-bones of true life with love.In short, it's a triumphantly humorous and truthful take on young life with artful touches and is the best, most honest British film for a long, long time..
While i appreciate the attempt to create another outsider hero in that mold, it was a little distracting to keep thinking of other movies while i was trying to get caught up in this one.Craig Roberts and Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor all do terrific work here tho it should said and you never not believe that these three are in fact a family and that it would be a sad thing indeed if these three should split up or that something should split the three of them up.Again the film is beautifully shot--almost worth seeing just for some of the cinematography and some of the camera work alone.
Ah maybe its just my age--if i were maybe ten years younger i might've swooned heartily at this one, or maybe its just the fact that i'm not as able to relate to the main character as i once might have been able to--or maybe its the kind of thing where you need time and distance to let it wash over you so that it grows into a classic--which is what i think will happen, if not for me then for others who will gladly take the entire movie to heart and treasure it.
Ayoade works to emphasize character facial expressions, in addition to his characters becoming sole subjects of a scene as they discuss the film's events or narrate certain parts in a manner that breaks the fourth wall.The result is a quaint comedy-drama that unfortunately succumbs to its identity crisis and its desire to try and find a path before it figures itself out, much like its main character, Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts).
Oliver is also concerned with his parents' disintegrating marriage when he notices his father's (Noah Taylor) increasing disconnectedness and his mother's (Sally Hawkins) brewing relationship with a new-age guru (Paddy Considine) that she dated back in school.Oliver is very demanding and blunt, with a desire to use people in his circles as pawns for his greater good without even really knowing it; he takes "having all his ducks in a row" to a new level.
Having said that, the relationship he crafts with Jordana throughout the course of the film is a precious one, as is much of the film (until heartbreak begins setting in, and Oliver begins writing notes to himself that will make anyone who has went through heartbreak shatter a bit inside).Submarine is crafted in that indie movie light that emphasizes the quirky and the largely improbable or eccentric.
Oliver's relationship with Jordana was kind of unique, but still nothing too special.The film really falls apart when it comes to the supporting characters.
If you are into off-beat films then Submarine should be a film that you make time to see at the cinema.The film follows the growing pains of Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) who is a rather awkward teenager at school.
Being so far away from my school years that I remember Betamax video players and a world without Instagram, I'm not that into teen love stories, but I was more than happy to give 'Submarine' a try, based on the fact that it was directed by the (awesome!) Richard Ayoade (best known for the 'IT Crowd').
Not at all the sort of movie that one would expect from Ben Stiller's production company.In addition to Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige in the lead roles, the cast includes Noah Taylor (Game of Thrones), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) and Paddy Considine (In America)..
While I didn't quite find what I was looking for, Submarine prove itself to be a very enjoyable movie.The story follows the teenager Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), a british high schooler, who set two objectives to achieve: firstly, to lose his virginity, and secondly, to fix his parents deadbedroom-syndrome and with it, their marriage.
I felt like it was the main reason the marriage plotline was a bit stale for me.Submarine could have been one of my favorite movies, had I seen it in my teenage years; as an adult, it is still a very entertaining and refreshing take on the coming-of-age genre..
Richard Ayoade's good, if slight, film is about a Welsh teenager (Noah Taylor) experiencing his first taste of adult responsibility by both falling deeply for a quirky classmate (Yasmin Paige) and trying to avert the collapse of his parents' marriage.
Led by a wonderful cast and witty directing it is a greatly enjoyable movie.The film centres on 15 year-old Oliver Tate who feels isolated from the rest of his age group due to his quirky habits.
The unusual use of colour, frequent cuts and shifting narrative all come together to give the film a quirky style and in some ways reflect Oliver's different view upon the world itself.
Or, at the very least, it is an English film about Welsh folk.The centerpoint (or, I suppose, centrepoint) of this coming-of-age story is Oliver Tate, a 15- year-old boy in the throughs of adolescence.
This was a truly interesting British surprise and one of the most original and refreshing thought-provoking movies made on the ''coming of age'' subject.With large indie touches and a comical-dramatic charge, accompanied by a dazzling photography and a delicious soundtrack, the result is an alternative piece of cinema that explores the teenage era, leaded by a hauntingly mature Craig Roberts.
The film deals with Oliver's life at school dealing with bullies, trying to be popular, maintaining a good relationship with his new girlfriend as well as what he considers to be saving his parent's relationship and marriage.
I liked how Oliver's character had an unusual teenage life and that is part of what makes this film so interesting, but also the similarities to adolescence and school that we can all relate to.
15-year-old Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) has two objectives: To lose his virginity before his next birthday, and to extinguish the flame between his mother (Sally Hawkins) and an ex-lover who has resurfaced in her life.Other reviewers have compared this film to "Rushmore", which I think is a bit off the mark.
Also to make matters worse his mother's old flame has just moved next door and threatens to end his parents already rocky marriage.Submarine is the wonderful film debut from British director Richard Ayoade (Moss from The IT Crowd).
The film is oddly hilarious and although sounding as though it's going to be the usual clichéd coming of age story, Submarine saves itself from this dreaded common ground by it's refreshing sense of truth to the thoughts and feelings of adolescents around the same age, and definitely marks Richard Ayoade as a director to watch.9/10 http://tonicleap.wordpress.com.
This is a piece of genius.I saw Richard Ayoade's name as the Writer/Director of this film, and being a huge fan of his work from shows The IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh, I had to take a look.It perfectly captures that age when you are exceedingly awkward and odd, and feel like you are the only person going through it.
However, the recurring picturesque shots of the Welsh coastline at sunset may denote that beauty, like Jordana, is tangible and real.Almost every review of Submarine contains the word 'quirky' somewhere in its description and whilst the film does have its fair share of unusual twists and unexpected snatches of dialogue it deals with a very familiar almost clichéd set of characters and circumstances.
This was Richard Ayaode's directorial debut and he has done a very good job of adapting the novel.This film perfectly suits his style of humor.Craig Roberts is very talented and plays this role of dark teenager very well.
I doubt somehow that people will be remembering "Submarine" with the same fondness 30 years hence.It's not a bad film, and I think Richard Ayoade shows promise with his directorial debut, but for me, it's eminently missable, I'm afraid..
Using some interesting techniques that never snap you out of the idyllic setting the warmth of the story and the characters (particularly Paddy as guru Graham Purvis who is clearly just having fun with the role and Noah Taylor who managers to portray so much with so little as Oliver's dad Lloyd) propel the film along with expert pacing.
Certainly a young star to keep an eye on, it was refreshing to see an English coming of age story that didn't go down the typical Skins style route.Young men and old men alike will recognize parts of themselves in Oliver, his geekiness is not cheesy at all and he is one if the most likable characters to come along in film in a long time.
The storyline isn't particularly original but it does put it's own quirky spin on a familiar story.I particularly enjoyed the blossoming relationship between Oliver and Jordana, Jordana being the slightly unpopular girl at school who has a liking for bullying those less fortunate in school, she almost becomes dislikable, but in the end you really don't mind.All in all this was an enjoyable little film that I hope gets the recognition it so well deserves..
He appears once again in the person of 15-year-old Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), a confused, self-involved, but ultimately sympathetic teen in Richard Ayoade's charming and stylish directorial debut Submarine.
I got the feeling the director enjoyed the set-up of the film but then didn't know how to finish it off, nor why we should care about the two protagonists, who at times played it like Hindley And Brady: The Early Years, in terms of their 'quirky' lack of compassion.
The film is helmed by Craig Roberts, as the main character Oliver Tate, a geeky 15-year-old who goes to a state school in Swansea and lives with his mother and father as an only child.
It is indeed a very unique film, and a clever one; and it does to a good job setting itself apart from just about anything else.Filled with fantastic performances, namely Craig Roberts, well- written comedy and drama, likable characters, a gripping plot and interesting quirks, this film is proud to be British, and it's great.
Submarine (2010), is a foreign film directed by Richard Ayoade, starring Craig Roberts.
The film is at the basic level a coming-of- age story about a 15 year old boy named Oliver Tate who needs to deal with his infatuation towards his classmate Jordana on one hand,and also somehow save his parents' marriage from falling apart on the other.After watching both the films that Ayoade has made as of now, I have no hesitation in saying that he is a genuine visual artist.
The supporting actors namely Sally Hawkins,Noah Taylor and Paddy Considine are also good.I think the main theme of the film is the state of depression that Oliver and his father find themselves in.
Submarine documents the coming of age story of Oliver Tate, who is trying to lose his virginity before he turns 16 and keep his parents from splitting up.Although this is Richard Ayoade's debut feature film it is incredibly cinematic, with its picturesque shots of rural Wales and the use of Super-8 mm film, there isn't much Ayoade is afraid to do.
15-year-old Oliver Tate, Submarine's protagonist, played by Craig Roberts is the kind of boy wallflowers dream about.