The Film That Changed My Life: Submarine

The film that changed my life is not a profound documentary trying to change the world, or even an inspiring and uplifting biopic. Oh no, let me bring the tone down a little. The opening scenes of the film involve the protagonist imagining his own death, with all his school ‘friends’ and even the local news crew attending a candlelit vigil, weeping over his untimely demise: welcome to teenage melodrama.

This particular coming-of-age story focuses on Welsh teen Oliver, who has to single-handedly save his parents’ sexless marriage and get a girlfriend – all while trying to ‘discover’ his own identity and surviving in a bully-or-be-bullied school. Not too much going on then.

Oliver is a Holden Caulfield-esque character, probably a bit precocious and loquacious for his age, but it’s where much of the humour comes from. I had watched the film before I got to study it for my A-levels but it was when I learnt more and could be geeky about it that I really loved it.

I think the reason why the film made such an impact on me is simple: as a teenage girl living in a small town, I felt seen. Growing up, most depictions of teenagers fell into two stereotypes: the ‘lad’ culture of The Inbetweeners (wasn’t funny then and even less now) and the sex-and-drugs Skins lifestyle which, being moderately unpopular, definitely wasn’t how I spent my teenage years. That recognition of seeing something of yourself and your experiences, especially when you’re a teenager, is such a powerful thing.

The classroom shown at the beginning of the film is instantly recognisable if you went to a state secondary in the noughties (even though the film is supposed to be set in the 80s – clearly ours hadn’t changed a bit). As Oliver is giving us a monologue, the teacher is setting the task of writing about self-identity, which becomes a recurrent theme in the film. Teenagers are obsessed about their identity, trying to determine the outlines and boundaries of it, as if it were a tangible, definable thing. Oliver tries on different habits as if trying on clothes (and he literally does have ‘a hat phase’).

Oliver’s love interest, Jordana, is also quite refreshing and relatable – pyromania and bullying aside. While Oliver is given lines that highlight the sheer pretentiousness of teenagers, Jordana has some excellent one liners that often cut through Oliver’s attempts at grandiose romance. After he sets up his empty house in the ‘perfect’ romantic way and lies on the bed, Jordana opens her eyes and deadpans: ‘Fucking hell you’re a serial killer’. The connotations of her red duffle coat and Lolita sunglasses can’t scream ‘danger’ loud enough. It’s this representation of interesting and nuanced female teenagers that I pushed for at every step of applying for a media production apprenticeship soon after.

The film’s soundtrack is also stunning. Director Richard Ayoade (yes, the one from Travel Man) worked on music videos for the Arctic Monkeys, which resulted in Alex Turner recording an original EP. It’s more stripped down than their previous albums, setting a precursor for Suck It and See. Some songs play over montages and scenic shots, almost acting as music videos within the film. These sequences are so beautiful it can’t be a coincidence, and must instead be a result of painstaking planning.

Despite my reluctance to rewatch films I actually love, I watched Submarine again when writing this and I still loved it. Thank god. I find the precociousness of Oliver even funnier and can recognise myself in it. The scenery is also undeniably Welsh. It’s something that I didn’t realise at the time but now adds another level of adoration. I even spotted what I hope was a brief shot of my beloved Cardiff University’s main building.

I can also appreciate the horror iconography that was lost on me at the time (notably Don’t Look Now, for any fans), as well as its depiction of depression and anxiety. There’s a touching moment of Oliver and his father Lloyd at the dinner table:

‘What does it feel like?’

‘Like being underwater.’

The best films stay with you for a long time, long after the credits have been paused and you move on to the next distraction. I hadn’t watched this film since I was 17 but I could still replay countless scenes and quotes in my head (though that may be more of a reflection on me).

For me, the film is a love note to the dramatic highs and lows of being a teenager. As Oliver says, ‘I suppose it won’t matter when I’m 38, but I’m upset about it.’

Submarine makes you question whether it’s possible to feel nostalgia for something you haven’t watched before or for experiences you are still going through. It’s a film that provided a form of comfort during that period of my life, and still makes me laugh today.

Arguably, it’s also paved the way for more brilliant, funny and realistic coming-of-ages such as Lady Bird, In My Skin and Dating Amber and all of these depictions of teenage life in its confusing and messy glory can only be a good thing.

Now don’t mind me, I’m off to search for red duffle coats again …


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Written by Sophie Ellis

Sophie is a twenty-something cafe assistant near Bristol and Bath. You can usually find her trying to perfect her latte art and book shopping, but ideally, she's by the beach. 

Film, ReviewGuest User