I have been criticized for being too focused on genre films. And I do agree on some levels. I let a lot of great dramas and independent films go unseen while I always end up seeing every superhero offering available. One of my best friends told me that I just had to see Submarine, so when I got the chance to review this indie coming-of-age comedy, I took the plunge.
Although it is easy to compare this to Wes Anderson’s Rushmore, or dozens of other quirky tales of adolescence, this one has its own voice and style. Submarine is a charming story that will probably engage most any audience.
Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) lives in a distinctly self-focused reality. He isn’t the nerd with the heart of gold. Nor is he a popular, jock-type. He is a quirky young Welshman who is willing to indulge his own neuroses if they will get him what he wants, but he mostly tries to be a good guy. Oliver’s primary obsession is Jordana Bevin (Yasmine Paige). Jordana is a tough, worldly, quirky girl who is prone to the occasional bullying. Oliver is quite willing to soften his anti-bullying stance to score points with Jordana. But Oliver isn’t able to focus all of himself on Jordana because he is also discovering, through his regular investigations of his parents’ bedroom, that his parents are having a rough patch in their marriage. Oliver’s mother seems to be taking an interest in an old flame who is in town on his motivational/new-age speaking tour.
On his quest to lose his virginity and save his parents’ marriage, Oliver stumbles and staggers, but he also learns and grows. But who am I kidding? Every teenager in every coming-of-age story learns and grows. The genius of Submarine isn’t that Oliver learns and grows, it is the wonderful way that the film captures the way Oliver sees the world. Narrated by Oliver, some of the best laughs in the film come out of his own inner monologue. This kid has traits that all of us remember on some level in our own adolescence. Writer/Director Richard Ayoade has crafted an adolescent reality that simultaneously celebrates growing up and pokes fun at the manic nature of the teenage mind.
Ultimately, Submarine is a celebration. This is the real world. There is loss and pain all around Oliver. But as he learns to confront his fears and assert himself, he gains his footing. All of us can relate to feeling lost, acting selfishly, and being self-absorbed from time to time. So I recommend growing up with Oliver and experiencing life through his tale.
The Package
There are some quirky visuals to be found in this film, but I do find that it portrays its native Wales as a cold and gray place for the most part. But the image quality here is pretty impeccable even if the film lives in a fairly gray world. There are only a couple of brief bonus features here which are fluffy but fun.
