Being a child of the Eighties, any film that opens with the classic Soft Cell song “Tainted Love” is one to get my attention immediately and I’m happy to say that this movie not only got my attention but managed to keep it throughout the entire duration.
Sightseers tells the story of Chris (Steve Oram) who wants to show Tina (Alice Lowe) his world and he wants to do it his way – on a journey through the British Isles in his beloved Abbey Oxford Caravan. Tina’s led a sheltered life and there are things that Chris needs her to see – the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct, the Keswick Pencil Museum and the rolling countryside that separates these wonders in his life. But it doesn’t take long for the dream to fade. Litterbugs, noisy teenagers and pre-booked caravan sites, not to mention Tina’s meddling mother, soon conspire to shatter Chris’s dreams and send him, and anyone who rubs him the wrong way
over a very jagged edge.
This is a strange and rather unexpected English movie that goes to a place that you just don’t expect it to by turning the seemingly quiet and sometimes rather boring countryside on its head. Competently directed by Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace, Kill List), this is sweet, horrific and enjoyable all at the same time and that’s not an easy feat to pull off in my mind. This movie will have you laughing and grimacing within seconds of each other and if you are a fan of Nick Frost and Simon Pegg movies, this will definitely appeal to you.
As all good movies teach us, it is often not the subject matter itself but the relationship between those involved that pulls us in and keeps us throughout the journey, Sightseers showcases two delightful actors Alice Lowe and Steve Oram who play the central characters of Tina and Chris. Both at times are sweet and endearing and you can’t help but like them and their ever stranger behavior as the movie progresses. The chemistry between the two is a joy to watch and it feels like the characters have been fully developed and realized
Anyone who is English or an Englishphile will really enjoy this movie and even if you are not, you will enjoy the great 80s score (even though it’s not set in that time). A modern day English country side Bonny and Clyde Horror love story (well sort of)
http://blog.sightseersmovie.com/
Sightseers opens on Friday, May 10, 2013 at Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema in New York and at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre in West L.A. Check local Listing for screen times in other cities
**OFFICIAL SELECTION – Directors’ Fortnight: CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2012**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION: SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2013**
**OFFICIAL SELECTION: TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2012**
** LONDON CRITICS CIRCLE FILM AWARDS 2013 (WON- BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILMMAKER) **
**EVENING STANDARD BRITISH FILM AWARDS 2013 (WON- PETER SELLERS AWARD FOR COMEDY)**
**BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS 2012 (WON- BEST SCREENPLAY)**
**MAR DEL PLATA FILM FESTIVAL 2012 (WON- BEST SCREENPLAY) **
**STIGES- CATALONIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2012
(WON- BEST ACTRESS, BEST SCREENPLAY)**
