NETFLIX – Submarine
Meet Oliver Tate.
He’s Welsh and starts the film by thanking American viewers for never invading his country. Even if they confuse it with England.
It’s a comedy, but it might not feel that way at first. He’s struggling with typical teenager things — school bullies, his parents’ rocky relationship and his mixed feelings about his girlfriend.
Cue the dreary music, add the subtle humor and you have a downright likable movie.
His girlfriend, Jordana, is not exceptionally beautiful. Oliver could certainly do better, but for some reason he’s attracted to her cold, manipulative personality.
If you’re looking for 90 minutes of flash and style, keep moving. Submarine is mellow and it’s not in a hurry to get anywhere, but the simplicity makes it incredibly charming. The witty humor keeps the plot engaging while Oliver’s mundane life makes Submarine surprisingly relatable.
Oliver’s father is a depressed, awkward marine biologist who refuses to believe his wife could be having an affair with the phony New Age guru who just moved in next door. Oliver takes it upon himself to expose his mother’s relationship and keep his parents together.
The acoustic soundtrack features Alex Turner, lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys. The dismal music adds to the low-key mood and works perfectly with the captivating cinematography. It’s almost worth watching for the beautiful filmmaking alone. For Richard Ayoade’s directorial debut, it’s very well done. Submarine is essentially a coming-of-age story with enough twists to keep it fresh. The plot is easy to follow because the focus remains on the slightly misguided characters.
Submarine can be dark at times but its sarcastic nature is very apparent. It’s the kind of thing to watch on a rainy Saturday when you’re feeling slightly sad and you want to ease yourself out of it. It’s definitely funny, but the unique characters and delightful quirkiness make it a movie you won’t easily forget.
