Being a teenager can be difficult. It is a time of life which has been well documented in many movies. For his directorial debut actor Richard Ayoade has chosen to explore this time of life.
We are constantly bombarded by the American way of school life. So it refreshing when we get to see a different point of view. The English, or in this case the Welsh, present a more realistic view of school life. The kids don't look and act perfect like they do in American films. I don't like to use the word quirky when talking about this film but you can't help it. It is very different to most of the other teenage coming of age films that we normally see. Many have compared this film to something Wes Anderson might do and to a certain extent that is true. But the film has many of it's own qualities which make it unique. These are interesting character with many different quirks but they still feel very human and real. The bleak Welsh countryside also makes a nice refreshing change.
Craig Roberts is excellent as the nervous young hero Oliver. He plays the nerdy character well and his narration provides a lot of the films humour. His partner Yasmin Paige is a good cohort for Craig's shenanigans as Oliver. She is very delightful and has many of the film's best lines. Richard has gotten some excellent adult actors to support these young ones. Aussie Noah Taylor makes for a great deadpan father. Sally Hawkins looks so nicely repressed in this film. Paddy Considine plays the flamboyant charmer very well.
Richard Ayoade makes an excellent mark as a new director. As much as I love this film I hope he doesn't give up acting completely.
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