Submarine
Dir: Richard Ayoade
2011
*****
Who knew that the IT Crowd's Moss (Richard Ayoade) was such a brilliant director! He was a big part of the creative force behind The Boosh though for many a year, the style is different but is still as impressive and just as creative. This film is very much a love letter to French new wave really, its influence is a whose who of great directors and movies. I vaguely remember Ayoade saying in an interview that Submarine was largely influenced by his favourite film, Louis Malle's Zazie dans le Metro but it's easy to spot Truffaut's 400 Blows among many other classics. The well established actors such as Paddy Considine and Sally Hawkins are on great form but the two young actors, Craig Roberts and Tasmin Paige are the real reasons to watch. They both steal each scene away from each other, not in a competitive way but with such a natural and exciting playfulness. Both should have a long and successful career as should Ayoade and I look forward to seeing more films from him. One of my favourites of 2011.