Concrete Playground

There's probably not one among us who hasn't imagined their life playing out as if it were a film. We imagine the audience's reactions to our expressions, the camera's soaring view over our actions. But never has it been so beautifully described as it has by Oliver Tate, the young protagonist in the film Submarine.

Directed and written by Richard Ayoade (based on a novel by Joe Dunthorne), it was inevitable that this film would emulate the endearing sweetness that Ayoade brings to his character Moss in the lovable IT Crowd. It's a simple story: boy has crush on girl, girl is slightly troubled pyromaniac, boy's parents are dealing with their own problems which might involve the reappearance of long lost sweethearts, and so boy attempts to assist their love life.

Broken up into prologue, three acts and an epilogue, the film does almost read like a book but the spectacular mixed media photography including Super 8 footage, stills and brilliant use of slow motion adds a decidedly visual tonic to the movie's book-like script. Not that being book-like is a criticism: the characters all speak with a studied wit, delivered with natural grace. Sally Hawkins, who plays Oliver's mother Jill, is an engrossing actor who takes subtlety to a new level, and the young stars Yasmin Paige and Craig Roberts are staggering talents to be watched.

Strangely enough for a small film shot in Wales, Ben Stiller pops up as an executive producer and also makes a small cameo in the film. Assuming that he was crucial to funding, I can only take my hat off to him. This was a slow burn film, with a moving soundtrack and skilled direction. I say slow burn, because it takes a while to realise just how endearing, humorous and touching it really was. But once you do, you'll probably want to see it again.