There are a lot of great coming-of-age films that Hollywood has produced over the years, but in my opinion, none have stuck out more than Submarine. This film was Richard Ayoade’s directing and screenwriting debut.
Ayoade’s first film is turning 15 years-old this year, and I believe everyone who enjoys a well-written and beautifully shot coming-of-age film should watch.
Submarine is about Oliver Tate’s first romantic relationship with. Oliver is trying to deal with this new relationship and his parents’ struggling relationship, all at the same time.
In this film, Ayoade takes the audience on the funny, romantic coming-of-age journey of Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) and his life as an awkward teenager. Originally a short story written by Joe Duthorne, Ayoade fell in love with the story and brought this tale to the big screen in 2010.
This film feels different than most coming-of-age films that have been produced by Hollywood. Don’t get me wrong, Hollywood has produced a lot of great coming-of-age films such as Stand By Me, Mid 90s, My Girl, and Superbad, but Ayoade wanted to make a British coming-of-age film with British humour. In addition to using British humour, Ayoade does an excellent job of telling the story through breathtaking cinematography inspired by French New Wave techniques. One of my favorite shots in this film is when Oliver and Jordana (his new girlfriend) first real kiss after Oliver “got into a fight to defend his girlfriend’s honor.” Though the scene sounds simple, Ayoade makes that kiss magical by only giving us the sound of the wind blowing, and Ayoade has the camera circle around the couple as they kiss. It feels as if the world stops moving for that one moment for the couple, and we saw the creation of this relationship.
While dealing with his relationship with Jordana, Oliver also recognizes that his parents’ marriage is on thin ice. A former ex lover of his mother, Jill Tate (Sally Hawkins), moves in nextdoor, and you can feel that there is some sort of spark in that relationship. Oliver’s dad, Lloyd Tate (Noah Taylor), has been depressed for months, and you can sense his lack of will and how despondent he is. Oliver knows that there is no sexual spark between his parents because he knows when they have had sex based on how dim one of the lights are the next day. Throughout the film, Oliver discovers more than he should about his parents and their relationship in comedic and unexpected ways that I didn’t see coming.
The storytelling is heavily influenced with beautiful French New Wave techniques. There are many solo montages of Oliver thinking about his path forward and his relationship with Jordana. One scene that really stuck out to me was one that Oliver labels as “TWO WEEKS OF LOVEMAKING.” For context, his dad gave Oliver a small pep talk about how proud he is that Oliver is seeing someone and gives him a mixtape of music he thinks best exemplifies love. The montage is filled with jump cuts, closeups, organic lighting, and halfway through the montage, Ayoade changes how it was shown by using an old school film camera. Ayoade really captures the fun and innocence of the honeymoon era of this relationship and makes you feel happy for Oliver.
The comedy in this film is fun, refreshing and different than a lot of comedies. British humour isn’t for everyone, but this film does an excellent job of executing satirical jokes in a casual way. In a scene early on in the film, Oliver talks about how he “found a book about teenage paranoid delusions during a routine search of my parents’ bedroom.” A lot of the jokes in the film can go by fast because they are told so nonchalantly that you can miss them, but regardless, the comedy is well done throughout the whole film. Even if British humour isn’t your thing I think you should give this one a try because the jokes are well written and executed perfectly.
Without spoiling too much, this film has the perfect usage of British humour, French New Wave techniques, and an amazing story. If you are looking for a short romantic comedy I would highly suggest this film. I tend to stay away from romantic comedy films, but I stumbled upon this one thanks to a friend and am glad I watched it. I felt completely submerged in this film’s story and how it was told. I dare you, the reader, to step out of your comfort zone and into this quirky story that Ayoade wonderfully brought to life.