Jump to content

Submarine (2010 film)

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with the 2010 Danish film Submarino.
This article is about the film. For the soundtrack, see Submarine (EP).

Submarine
In the foreground center, main character Oliver Tate is standing with a white background behind him; the background changes from white to blue in the middle of the poster. The films title is listed at the top in yellow, blue, and red letters, along with additional text saying "Presented by Ben Stiller", the production credits are listed at the bottom.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRichard Ayoade
Written byRichard Ayoade
Based on
Submarine
by Joe Dunthorne
Produced by
  • Mary Burke
  • Mark Herbert
  • Andy Stebbing
Starring
CinematographyErik Alexander Wilson
Edited by
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 12 September 2010 (2010-09-12) (TIFF)
  • 18 March 2011 (2011-03-18) (United Kingdom)
  • 3 June 2011 (2011-06-03) (United States)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.9 million
Box office$4.6 million

Submarine is a 2010 coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Richard Ayoade in his feature directorial debut. Based on the 2008 novel by Joe Dunthorne, it stars Noah Taylor, Paddy Considine, Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige and Sally Hawkins. The film follows an eccentric 15-year-old boy (Roberts) who pursues a relationship with a classmate (Paige) while attempting to repair his parents' marriage, suspecting that his mother (Hawkins) is having an affair with an ex-lover (Considine).

Filming for Submarine took place in Wales in late 2009, in the towns of Swansea, Cardiff, Rhondda, and Barry. Over the course of seven weeks, the film was primarily shot in Cardiff. Alex Turner, the frontman of English rock band Arctic Monkeys, was recruited to compose the soundtrack, which was released on 14 March 2011.

Submarine premiered at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2010. It was shortly picked up by The Weinstein Company for a North American release. It was released in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2011, shortly followed by a United States release on 3 June. The film was later released onto DVD on 4 October, with Anchor Bay Entertainment distributing the film. Submarine received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the way it was filmed. It grossed $4.6 million worldwide at the box office against a production budget of $1.9 million.

Plot

[edit]

In the Welsh seaside city of Swansea, Oliver Tate is an eccentric, unpopular 15-year-old who is infatuated with his mischievous classmate, Jordana Bevan. After Oliver bullies another female classmate to impress Jordana, she invites him to meet secretly after school, before taking pictures of her and Oliver kissing. Jordana uses the pictures to make her ex-boyfriend Mark jealous, resulting in Oliver being beaten up by Mark at school for refusing to call Jordana a "slut". Jordana becomes Oliver's girlfriend and, after a couple of weeks, they lose their virginity to each other in his bedroom while his parents are out.

Oliver begins to suspect that his mother Jill is having an affair with a previous lover, New Age motivational speaker Graham Purvis, who has moved in next door with his girlfriend Kim-Lin. Worried about his parents' marriage, he monitors their sex life by checking the dimmer switch in their bedroom, concluding that they have not had sex for seven months. After spotting Jill in town with Graham and overhearing her talk about him on the phone, Oliver tries to warn his depressed father Lloyd, who dismisses his suspicions. Oliver spies on Jill attending one of Graham's seminars, where Graham tells her that he has broken up with Kim-Lin.

As Oliver's relationship with Jordana grows, she reveals that her mother has been diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour. At an awkward early Christmas dinner at Jordana's house, Oliver is welcomed by her parents but witnesses her father break down emotionally after a dimmer switch stops working. Despite agreeing to visit Jordana's mother at the hospital the day of her operation, Oliver loses his nerve and temporarily disappears from Jordana's life so he can focus on salvaging his parents' marriage, planning to resume his relationship with Jordana afterwards.

On the night of New Year's Eve, Jill goes to the beach with Graham. While searching for Jill on the crowded beach, Oliver is stunned to see Jordana with another boy. He then spies on his mother entering the back of Graham's van and assumes the worst. Enraged, he goes home and takes several of Lloyd's antidepressants before breaking into Graham's house, where he gets drunk and commits minor acts of vandalism. Upon returning home, Graham finds an intoxicated Oliver, Graham later drops Oliver off at his doorstep and leaves. The next morning, Oliver awakes to see that his parents are not angry with him and are reconciling, though Jill admits that she gave Graham a handjob.

Jordana breaks up with Oliver via a letter informing him that she is seeing someone else and that her mother's operation was successful; he becomes depressed over the next few months. At school, Oliver is commonly harassed by classmate Chips. Oliver later apologises to Jordana for not visiting her mother at the hospital, hoping she will leave her new boyfriend for him, but she rejects him. Oliver later encounters Jordana on the beach at sunset, learning that she does not actually have a new boyfriend. She declares that Oliver was horrible to her, and he admits that he made a mistake. Together, they walk several inches deep into the sea, smiling at each other as the sun shines at them.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Development and casting

[edit]

In early 2008, Richard Ayoade, then studying at the University of East Anglia, was searching the internet for new music, when he came across a job advertisement asking for interns to apply at Warp Films.[3] After persuading his roommate, a film student, to apply. Ayoade quickly began developing the script of Submarine, before showing it to the boss of Warp Films.[3] Producer Mary Burke quickly optioned the screen rights, with Ayoade directing the screenplay.[3] In 2008, author Joe Dunthorne published his debut novel, Submarine, of which the film is based on.[3][4] Dunthorne agreed to let Ayoade produce the film, writing "I felt like [Ayoade] really connected with the story of Submarine and had a clear vision of what he wanted to do with it".[3] Submarine became Ayoade's feature directorial debut.[5][6][3]

Craig Roberts, who portrayed Oliver Tate in the film, pictured in 2013.

Around 100 actors submitted video auditions for the roles of Oliver, Jordana, and Chips in 2009.[7] Michael Sheen and X Factor contestant Lucie Jones were originally cast in the film but dropped out due to other commitments.[8][7] Creative director Virginia Heath stated more than 1,200 people had signed up to the casting site, and more than 100 auditions of "previously undiscovered talent" had been submitted for the roles of the film.[7] Auditions closed on 17 August 2009.[7] Ayoade invited Roberts and Paige to record screen tests around Barry Island, where sequences of the movie would later be shot.[3]

Filming

[edit]

Shooting began in Wales in late 2009,[7][9] with locations ranging from Swansea, Cardiff, Rhondda, and Barry.[10] The film was primarily shot in Cardiff over the course of seven weeks.[11] Ayoade and cinematographer Erik Wilson watched French cinema films from the 1970s for visual references; Wilson listed François Truffaut and Éric Rohmer as primary influences.[12] The film was produced by Warp Films and Film4 Productions,[11] working on a production budget of $1.9 million.[13] Submarine was mostly filmed using natural light,[14] of which was mainly shot on 35mm film.[15] After finding a 35mm camera, the crew initially did not want to use it, however Ayoade insisted on using it, with the crew always carrying it with them and using it for scenic shots.[12] In the scenes where the lighting had to be adjusted, either existing fluorescents were replaced or switched off, or other bulbs were brought in.[12] In an interview with NME magazine in 2021, Paige reflected on the filming experience fondly, stating it was one of the best experiences of her life.[3]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Main article: Submarine (EP)

Following the release of English rock band Arctic Monkeys fourth studio album, Humbug (2009). Ayoade approached frontman Alex Turner to write the soundtrack.[9] Turner stated that making music for a film was something he felt was not "qualified to do", but claimed that this was an exception due to his friendship with Ayoade.[9] Turner initially intended to perform cover songs for the film, but ended up writing six original songs.[9] The soundtrack was recorded in April 2010 at One Inch studios in London,[9] with frequent collaborator James Ford serving as producer.[16] Turner and Ford played most of the instruments, while Bill Ryder-Jones played guitar on the tracks "Hiding Tonight", and "It's Hard To Get Around The Wind".[16] The strings for the song "Piledriver Waltz" were recorded at Air Studios in London, and arranged by Owen Pallett.[16][3] The original score was composed by Andrew Hewitt, long-time collaborator of Ayoade, recorded at Air Studios with the Composers Ensemble orchestra.[16] The soundtrack was released on 14 March 2011, just a few days before the film made its debut in the United Kingdom.[17] Since its release, several music critics have compared the soundtrack to the works of Richard Hawley,[18][17][19] Bob Dylan,[18][20] Simon & Garfunkel,[19] John Lennon,[17] Roy Orbison,[19] Scott Walker,[19] and Cat Stevens's soundtrack for Harold and Maude.[21]

Release

[edit]

Submarine premiered at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival on 12 September 2010.[15][22] Following a generally positive reception, it was picked up by The Weinstein Company for a North American release.[23] The film also played at the 54th London Film Festival in October 2010 and was additionally played at the 27th Sundance Film Festival in January 2011.[24][25] It was also screened along with 400 other films at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival the next month.[26] The film was officially released in the United Kingdom on 18 March 2011,[27][1] later being released in the United States on 3 June.[13] Submarine would later see a DVD release on 4 October, with Anchor Bay Entertainment distributing the film.[13]

Box office

[edit]

Submarine grossed $467,602 in the United States and Canada,[1] along with $4.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $4.6 million.[13] The film earned a total of $41,832 on its opening weekend in the United States.[13][1] In its second weekend, Submarine finished with $55,848.[28] By its third weekend, the film had surpassed Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules with $58,291.[29] In its fourth and fifth weekends, it earned $42,103, and $27,232 respectively.[30][31] By its sixth weekend, Submarine had earned a total of $377,807 domestically.[32] In its final week in August 2011, it concluded with $3,196.[33]

Critical reception

[edit]

Submarine received positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 88% based on 156 reviews, with an average rating of 7.4/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Funny, stylish, and ringing with adolescent truth, Submarine marks Richard Ayoade as a talent to watch."[34] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 76 out of 100, based on 37 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[35]

Critic Roger Ebert gave it a positive review, saying, "It flaunts some stylistic devices, such as titles and sections and self-aware narration, but it doesn't try too hard to be desperately clever. It's a self-confident work for the first-time director."[36] Noel Murray of The A.V. Club praised the film for the way it was shot, explaining, "Submarine is funny and stylish, shot in a way that gives the recent past an archaic glow, as though lit by candlelight and the setting sun."[5] Ray Bennett, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, called the film "Jaunty and sly with great many laughs".[37] Dan Jolin of Empire gave the film a four out of five stars, stating "Submarine is, simply, a joy. A joy jostled by the comedy of discomfort."[38]

Sophie Williams of The Guardian cites the film as her feel-good movie, writing "It was during this state of unrest that Richard Ayoade's Submarine waltzed into my world. It might be a curious choice to name a film that traverses a troubled home life, too-much-too-young sexual experiences, and bullying as my feel-good movie, but within its equally dark and peppy 97 minutes is a story about writing your own rules."[39] Peter Bradshaw, also writing for The Guardian, found the film funny and sweet in his review, and also cited Ayoade as a "tremendous new voice in British film".[40] Additionally, Peter Debruge of Variety praised the film for how well it stands out in its genre, writing, "Submarine rises above the genre's tired, cookie-cutter competition, presenting familiar elements, such as preternaturally articulate teens preoccupied with virginity, through fresh eyes."[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Submarine". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Submarine - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 8 June 2026. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "'Submarine' at 10: an oral history of the Alex Turner-soundtracked indie". NME. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  4. ^ Gibbs, Johnathan (1 March 2008). "Submarine, By Joe Dunthorne". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 November 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  5. ^ a b Murray, Noel; Tobias, Scott (16 September 2010). "Tiff '10: Day 7". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
  6. ^ Scott, A.O. (2 June 2011). "Coming of Age, and Then to Terms". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 8 May 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Web Auditions for Sheen Film Cast". BBC News. 14 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  8. ^ "X Factor's Lucie Jones 'to Appear in Film with Michael Sheen'". The Daily Telegraph. 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Periscope up: Richard Ayoade and Alex Turner unite their talents in hot new Brit flick Submarine". The Independent. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 15 December 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  10. ^ Prior, Neil (13 March 2011). "Joe Dunthorne Book Submarine Has Swansea Film Premiere". BBC News. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Shooting Begins on Comedy Submarine". UK Film Council. 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  12. ^ a b c "Erik Wilson / Submarine". British Cinematographer. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Submarine (2011)". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  14. ^ Thr Staff (29 January 2011). "Submarine: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  15. ^ a b c Debruge, Peter (15 September 2010). "Review: "Submarine"". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  16. ^ a b c d Submarine (EP liner notes). Alex Turner. Domino. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ a b c McAlpine, Fraser (14 March 2011). "Alex Turner – Submarine EP Review". BBC Music. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  18. ^ a b "Alex Turner: Submarine OST | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 22 March 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  19. ^ a b c d Ashman, Neil (18 March 2011). "Alex Turner - Submarine". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  20. ^ "Alex Turner: Submarine EP". Digital Spy. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  21. ^ "What happened to movie music?". The Independent. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 1 October 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  22. ^ McClintock, Pamela (2 June 2011). ""Beginners," Starring Ewan McGregor, and "Submarine" Lead Weekend's Specialty Releases". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 20 May 2026. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  23. ^ Lodderhose, Diana; McClintock, Pamela (15 September 2010). "Weinsteins Win 'Submarine' Bidding War". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  24. ^ Gritten, David (10 July 2010). "London Film Festival Preview". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  25. ^ Lussier, Germain (12 February 2010). "2011 Sundance Film Festival Out of Competition Films Announced". /Film. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  26. ^ Roxborough, Scott (17 January 2011). "Berlin Announces Forum Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  27. ^ White, James (14 January 2011). "Ben Stiller Talks Submarine". Empire. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  28. ^ "Domestic 2011 Weekend 23". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  29. ^ "Domestic 2011 Weekend 24". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  30. ^ "Domestic 2011 Weekend 25". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  31. ^ "Domestic 2011 Weekend 26". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  32. ^ "Weekend Box Office Performance". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  33. ^ "Domestic 2011 Weekend 32". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2026.
  34. ^ "Submarine". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  35. ^ "Submarine". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 18 April 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  36. ^ Ebert, Roger (8 June 2011). "A Nice Boy with Sex Much on His Mind". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2025 – via RogerEbert.com.
  37. ^ Ray Bennett (14 October 2010). "Submarine: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  38. ^ Jolin, Dan (7 February 2011). "Submarine Review". Empire. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2026.
  39. ^ Williams, Sophie (9 June 2025). "'Still brings me hope': why Submarine is my feelgood movie". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
  40. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (17 March 2011). "Submarine - review". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2026.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Submarine_(2010_film)&oldid=1359741510"