Seamonsters (2011) Reviews

• Dreamily shot tale portraying the conflicting emotions of love and isolation faced by modern youth

  portjw2012-01-20

  If someone had told me i was going to the cinema to watch a movie portraying teen relationships, i would have asked for the sick bucket and skipped town. And i would have missed one of the best films – of any genre – that i've seen for ages. Seamonsters has as much to offer cinematically as any sweeping epic. England's south coastline never looked so interesting, colourful or full of light since Constable. The script is taut and the dialogue so tense i had a lump in my throat the entire film. And i have not been this impressed by a group of young actors since Coppola's Outsiders. This film is part thriller, part love story and in an odd way part documentary, for the realistic way it in which the character's lives are portrayed. Am so glad that i am all grown up now, would not want to live through that again.

• Wonderfully engaging and beautifully performed teen drama

  hilary-collee2012-01-08

  This poignant film set in a drab, off-season, quintessentially English seaside town invites the viewer into a world inhabited by teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, with all the promise of adventure but with the pressure to grow up emotionally always present. The action centres around to two mates - the well-adjusted, level-headed Sam (Jack McMullen) and his unpredictable chum Kieran (an extraordinarily compelling Reece Noi) who masks his shortcomings with acts of bravado and aggression. When a girl drifts into their lives, sexual competition causes tension between the boys, culminating in an event which changes their lives. With a beautifully-crafted script and hauntingly shot, this film is sensitive study of human relationships on many levels.

• It's wonderful that low budget films like this are made

  michael-kerrigan-526-1249742019-03-14

  The film industry, like most other ventures in our capitalist society, is driven by money. Isn't it just wonderful though that films like this can still be made on a shoestring budget. I often hear terms (from really good film critics) like "just imagine what s/he can do with a big budget"..... Give me little indies like this anytime. Ben Wheatley's best films were low budget. When he got some money the glitz did absolutely nothing to me. I've not really reviewed this film - I thought it was a slow burner but I grew to love it - but that's not the point. We must embrace low budget films such as this - it would be a catrastophe if they were to disappear.

• Brilliant teen movie. Truthful and great performances.

  martin-455892018-01-05

  Loved this. Saw it because I know one of the actors. I am not being pushed to write this. but just wanted to share my review in the hope that more people see it. I believe it is coming out on Amazon prime soon. Do check it out. It's funny and moving and honest.

• Thoughtful teen coming of age movie

  gipsybabe2015-08-18

  Loved this movie. The relationship between Sam and Kieran was very well written and performed . Took me back to my youth. Jealousy, love, competition, lust, trust, anger, rage. All those emotions but being unsure how to express them. It had great performances from the leads but also the supporting cast. It's a shame that this film is not more widely available. Obviously shot on a budget but that did not detract from the powerful direction and cinematography. The seaside setting added to the feeling of expectation and hope. I will be recommending to my step kids and nieces who are closer to the target audience and will I'm sure enjoy as much as I did.