Submarine (2011)

Craig Roberts brings an engagingly mischievous charm to his role here as the pubescent teenager "Oliver". Like most of us at that age, he is obsessed with sex. "Jordana" (Yasmin Paige) is the object of his desires. Meantime, his mother "Jill" (Sally Hawkins) is having a bit of a crisis of her own with her rocky marriage to the well meaning but rather drippy "Lloyd" (Noah Taylor) being undermined by the arrival, next door of her ex-lover; the charismatic and way more hip "Graham" (Paddy Considine). The next ninety minutes or so see the young man try to manoeuvre his way into the arms of his beloved whilst simultaneously ensuring he torpedoes any chance of a reconciliation between his mum and her former beau. It's an ensemble effort, really. Roberts stands out, but the others all contribute well to this well and pithily written story of angst (for all ages). It's witty, sharp and offers us quite a recognisable glimpse of - quite frequently cringeworthy and embarrassing - family life where crises are never far from the corn flakes. You might never look at a giraffe the same way again... Well worth a watch, this - but perhaps not with your kids (or if you are friendly with the guy next door!).