Submarine (2010)

Directed by: Richard Ayoade | 97 minutes | drama, comedy | Actors: Craig Roberts, Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine, Yasmin Paige, Sally Hawkins, Darren Evans, Osian Cai Dulais, Lily McCann, Otis Lloyd, Elinor Crawley, Steffan Rhodri, Gemma Chan, Melanie Walters, Sion Tudor Owen, Adrienne O’Sullivan , Jonny Wier, Lydia Fox, Lynne Hunter, Claire Cage, Edwin Ashcroft

‘Submarine’ is a bittersweet comedy about relationship troubles such as those experienced by ‘young and old’. Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a misfit at school. He is the ‘smartest’ student and because he stands out above average, he therefore stands out from the rest of the class in any case. Oliver behaves a little differently, finds it difficult to adapt to the tough macho behavior of his fellow students who brag about what they (in their fanciful thoughts) have already done to girls. He wears a jacket with a toggle closure and is bullied a lot. Oliver falls deeply in love with a fellow student, Jordana (Yasmin Paige). She is his – unrequited – first love, but as a precocious girl she still plays a cat-and-mouse game with him. However, he wants to get his first kiss from her, stronger: he also wants to go to bed with her for the first time.

Oliver’s parents have their own problems. Father Lloyd (Noah Taylor) and mother Jill (Sally Hawkins) live completely apart and their marriage is on the line. Father is exhausted and depressed, talks little and doesn’t do ‘it’ anymore. His wife Jill is deeply frustrated. These are the ingredients for a story that develops in many ways amusingly, in which much is parodied on the reserve of the English with regard to expressing their feelings and desires.

Mother Jill, in her loneliness and suppressed desires, falls a little bit on the dynamic neighbor Graham (Paddy Considine) who tries to charm her with smooth and stimulating talk. Jill is certainly not dismissive, but has serious doubts about what to do. Meanwhile, Jordana plays her own game with the industrious Oliver, who has all sorts of fantasies about what he might do next. It is amusing how she, at her very young age, already surreptitiously exercises her power over Oliver. Jordana plays the ‘hard to get’ type, but really just wants to be conquered the old-fashioned way. She makes him desperate with all kinds of assignments.

Oliver’s efforts to conquer her are hampered by the fact that he simultaneously tries to correct his parents’ impending divorce. When Oliver finds out that neighbor Graham has actually been his mother’s first love, his despair and anger grows because he suspects his mother of adultery. He is ready for anything. Will he be able to save his parents’ marriage and what is the price?

‘Submarine’ develops as a hilarious story in which all characters are completely confused by the sometimes bizarre and complex developments. They are sometimes slightly absurd in nature, but also have a serious undertone. Cinematically it is full of beautiful atmospheric images and excellent dialogues, the story flows well and tells itself smoothly. The initially rather emphatic voice-over in which Oliver tells his feelings disappears as the developments progress.

Great and heavy drama is missing, the warm atmosphere predominates. Craig Roberts as Oliver and Yasmin Paige as Jordana carry the film. The way these two revolve around each other is a beautiful and at the same time humorous rendition of the burgeoning feelings of two young people discovering each other and love. Who will not think back to their first love after seeing this film?