This is another entry into the precocious teen coming of age movie. The hero in this case is Oliver Tate. Oliver is a bit of an oddball, but he is beset by the usual adolescent angst over sex and a good part of the movie deals with his developing relationship with Jordana, a bit of an odd duck herself. These two are likable, even though they are not idealized--for example Jordana enjoys bullying a frumpy classmate and involves Oliver in the practice. Of course Oliver regrets it, sensitive lad that he is. In fact he sends the girl a note giving two hints on how to stand up to bullying: own any embarrassment and silently endure whatever torture is handed out. I suppose his ill advice comes from his immaturity, but I found this aspect of the movie disturbing.
This is filmed in southern Wales and there is no attempt to glamorize the industrial backdrop--in fact the two protagonists seek it out as a sort of anti-romantic rebellion. Someone will enjoy this movie based in large part on how much he or she likes the two young actors. Their emotional ups and downs are standard fare, perhaps that is why I did like them. The movie captures how intensely adolescents feel about their experiences and thoughts.
The fact that Oliver's parents are presented as real people and not as dopes to be ridiculed by the adolescents is a distinguishing feature. Oliver's father Lloyd suffers from depression, but he still functions and, as played by Noah Taylor in a deadpan style, he provides some humor. Interesting to note that in his younger days Taylor played the young man in the excellent Australian coming of age films: "The Year My Voice Broke," and "Flirting." Oliver's mother is starved for affection and a brighter life and begins an affair with a neighbor who is a spiritual guru, perhaps too facilely written for satirical purposes. Oliver sizes up the situation with his parents pretty accurately and endeavors to bring them back to a happier life. Oliver's concern for his parents is touching.
In many movies in this genre there is a continual tease about the possibility of the young couple having sex. This movie lets Oliver and Jordana have sex without moralizing. Parents may not like this.
I'm not sure how much this movie adds to the canon of coming of age stories, but its gentle humor and sympathetic characters made it enjoyable for me.
This is filmed in southern Wales and there is no attempt to glamorize the industrial backdrop--in fact the two protagonists seek it out as a sort of anti-romantic rebellion. Someone will enjoy this movie based in large part on how much he or she likes the two young actors. Their emotional ups and downs are standard fare, perhaps that is why I did like them. The movie captures how intensely adolescents feel about their experiences and thoughts.
The fact that Oliver's parents are presented as real people and not as dopes to be ridiculed by the adolescents is a distinguishing feature. Oliver's father Lloyd suffers from depression, but he still functions and, as played by Noah Taylor in a deadpan style, he provides some humor. Interesting to note that in his younger days Taylor played the young man in the excellent Australian coming of age films: "The Year My Voice Broke," and "Flirting." Oliver's mother is starved for affection and a brighter life and begins an affair with a neighbor who is a spiritual guru, perhaps too facilely written for satirical purposes. Oliver sizes up the situation with his parents pretty accurately and endeavors to bring them back to a happier life. Oliver's concern for his parents is touching.
In many movies in this genre there is a continual tease about the possibility of the young couple having sex. This movie lets Oliver and Jordana have sex without moralizing. Parents may not like this.
I'm not sure how much this movie adds to the canon of coming of age stories, but its gentle humor and sympathetic characters made it enjoyable for me.