Meet social misfit Oliver (Craig Roberts) who dreams of a consummated romance with bad girl pyromaniac Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Both British high schoolers aren't in the cool crowd and neither has the slightest idea of how to establish a relationship. Compounding problems even further is that they live in an industrial town in rural Wales where there's not much to do but set things on fire and dodge trouble.
Things aren't much better back at home. Oliver's parents (Sally Hawkins and Noah Taylor) are distant to the point of virtual invisibility. It's a house where little is said and it speaks volumes about their relationship and LACK of relations. Jordana doesn't have it much better - her situation is just as shaky.
Oliver quickly finds himself literally submerged in a real life dilemma - how can he help keep his parents together and manage to lose his virginity to his hot, pyromaniac girlfriend. He's not old enough to be a marriage counselor and his romantic adventures are (at times) painfully awkward to watch. It's enough to take anybody down.
He rises to the challenge even though his Mom is ga-ga (not Lady) over the self-help guru (nice turn by Paddy Considine) next door and Dad's emotions are on life support. The dialog is crisp and the humor, while at times quirky, is always genuine. It's easy to see why executive producer Ben Stiller was attracted to the script, because it's just that good.
This is a sweet original comedy that's never too hip to be taken seriously. Submarine goes just far enough below the surface to reveal that it's more than just a coming of age film. It's a little movie with a very big heart.