Review: SUPERBOB British Romantic Comedy is Funny and Heartwarming — FilmQuest Festival
SuperBob is a hilarious mockumentary about Robert Kenner, an affable British mailman who was struck by a meteor that gave him all of Superman's abilities. Reluctantly working with the British government, SuperBob is required to do a lot of tedious paperwork, much to the chagrin of the people he rescues. Six years later, the public is largely indifferent to the world's only superhero.
Directed by Jon Drever, the film strikes a delicate balance between being a romantic comedy and showing the emotional consequences of superpowers. The movie is layered with visual puns and sharp editing, making it feel similar to This Is Spinal Tap and Spaced.
Brett Goldstein not only co-wrote SuperBob with Drever, but is also the title character. Goldstein's comedic timing and self-deprecating humor make SuperBob very likable and more human than most superheroes we've seen on screen recently. Natalia Tena (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones) is brilliant as Dorris, Bob's house cleaner, and does an amazing job bouncing between comedic and emotional beats. Catherine Tate (Doctor Who, The Office) plays Bob's overbearing boss, Theresa, to perfection.
The movie's small budget and 19 day shooting schedule mean it's not going to be able to compete with the films of Marvel and DC for spectacle, but what it does have is lots more humor and a lot of heart. While the film is full of British references, the jokes are universally relatable and even the jabs at "Merica" are pretty fun. If you are a fan of British comedy, this is a must-watch film.
SuperBob does not have a USA release date and is currently making the festival rounds. Keep up to date with the movie on Facebook, Twitter, and its official site.