Submarine Notes

'Submarine' was directed by Richard Ayoade which was his first time as a director. The film was developed from a book by Jo Dunthorne about a young boy who struggled with his parent's relationship and struggled to form a relationship for himself with someone of the opposite sex.
The main characters of 'Submarine' are Oliver Tate and Jordana Bevan who are played by Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige who were basically newcomers/unknown, this links to 'Juno' in that, the actors cast would possibly be recognised for television parts e.g. Craig Roberts in 'Tracy Beaker' but hadn't been established as filmstars and recognisable yet.
As the film is from Oliver's perspective, it suggests an Emotional Selling Point for the film. The dialogue of 'Submarine' is sharp and witty, as you would expect from quick thinking, fast talking teenagers which fits with the film being from Oliver's POV. The dialogue is deliberately difficult to pick up reflecting uncomfortable situations, embarassing feelings and new emotions because that's distinctive in Oliver's personality. He rarely shows emotion throughout the film so it wouldn't fit if his narrative voice over was full of emotion.
The iconography used in 'Submarine' are bikes, fireworks and beaches as metaphors for Oliver and Jordana's 'exploding' new relationship. Its a colourful film that makes use of filters and expressive lighting often creating a quirky, upbeat feel and it comes as no surprise that the Director is a comedy writer.
The film can be described as 'nostalgic' as it is set in 1986. It explores key cross decade narative themes instead of the cutural changes going on at this time.
Oliver speaks like an educated adult with a wealth of experience (Such as Charlie in 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower') but it also shows him like the vunerable teenage boy that he is. He struggles to show emotions and is often clipped and functional when talking about deep, emotional subjects. He deals badly with Jordana's mother's cancer and is more concerned with being a good boyfriend than acknowledging real emotion. At times he is clipped and functional when talking about deeply emotional subjects.
Jordana is portrayed as a smart, confident girl (like Sam in 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower and Juno) but falls for Oliver's quirks.
Oliver muses on the nature of life itself and notions of inevitability and has a functional, philosophical approach to outcomes and events almost seeking to achieve goals because this is what you have to do in life - not because you actually enjoy the goals you have achieved.
The construct of the teenager and his/her passage through life at this age is an evident theme in 'Submarine', experimenting and learning about new emotions, new priorities and new feelings, which links to 'Juno' and her outlook and behaviour, she's also a teenager learning and living new feelings due to her getting pregnant and suddenly having to make new, big decisions.
The comedy in 'Submarine' is based around dialogue and primarily the narrative voice over of Oliver. 'Submarine' is written for an intelligent, discerning audience who understand the nature of the humour and the angst that belies it but the film also appeals to a younger target audience that can identify and are familiar with the representations throughout. The secondary target audience are likely to be 15-18 male and female who recognise themselves within the diegesis and almost view the film on a cathartic level.
Most audiences are drawn in by character representation and a strong narrative with the ability to engage in personal identity for younger audiences and personal relationships for older audiences using Blumler and Katz's 1974 Uses and Gratifications Model is wholly relevant for the film's success.