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Canberra Today 12°/15° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Submarine (M) ★ ★ ★ ½

RICHARD Avoade’s adaptation of Joe Dunthorne’s novel of transition from childhood’s innocence to the confusion and turmoils of adolescence may resonate with film-goers.

Only child Oliver (Craig Roberts) is determined to cease being virgin before he turns 16. At high school in a small English coastal town, he sets his heart on class-mate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Their coupling is perfunctory.

Oliver is distressed by his belief that the sex life of his parents (Noah Taylor and Sally Hawkins) has petered out. And he believes that she may be having an affair with an old boyfriend (Paddy Considine). Jordana, too, has family concerns – her mother is about to undergo surgery for cancer.

The film gently observes the interactions between those principal characters and finds resolution in inevitability rather than cataclysm. The performances are restrained but effective. Above all, Avoade’s feature film debut understands how the relationship between humour and reality can work to good effect.

At Greater Union

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Dougal Macdonald

Dougal Macdonald

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