Sightseers is the last film I'll be reviewing of 2012 (despite seeing it in January of 2013).
Given a limited release from boxing day of last year, Sightseers is a bold statement from relative new-comer, Ben Wheatley.
Given a limited release from boxing day of last year, Sightseers is a bold statement from relative new-comer, Ben Wheatley.
Sightseers is Wheatleys third film as director and apparently sees him enter in to more humourous territory.
This is in no small part to his two leads, played by Alice Lowe and Steve Oram - luminaries of British, comedy television. Despite this and the involvement of Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), it would be hard for me to recommend this film to any fan of horror/comedy, on the look-out for the next Severance or Slither.
This is in no small part to his two leads, played by Alice Lowe and Steve Oram - luminaries of British, comedy television. Despite this and the involvement of Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), it would be hard for me to recommend this film to any fan of horror/comedy, on the look-out for the next Severance or Slither.
Sightseers fits the horror/comedy mould, only this time we see everything from the perspective of the killers, rather than the victims. By participating in the horrendous acts of this couple, one effectively becomes accomplice (by association) - and the result is unsettling.
The film is very clever in this regard. To begin with, the couple evoke empathy from the audience. Tina (Lowe) lives with her over-bearing mother, while Chris (Oram) is fully invested in the heritage of Britain - a suggestion of a simple man with simple tastes.
They're soon faced with many an individual who challenge their particular beliefs - mainly those with bad manners! One finds themselves rooting for the couple in these instances.
They're soon faced with many an individual who challenge their particular beliefs - mainly those with bad manners! One finds themselves rooting for the couple in these instances.
Before long however, Chris and Tina are breaking their own rules - or are these the preconceived rules of the audience? Like I said, this time we're at the mercy of killers, who possibly didn't even have rules to begin with!
The film continues to be funny, although the shift in tone makes things difficult to decipher (I found myself giggling throughout, but heard very little laughter from the rest of the audience).
Slowly but surely we get under the skin of these two psychotics - and by the end of the film, any empathy we once had for them is long gone.
As unsettling as it is to watch, one can't fault the film itself. It's been beautifully photographed by Laurie Rose. The soundtrack is spot-on - the choice of pop music from the 80's effectively contrasting with the strange odyssey on screen.
The biggest triumph with Sightseers is the casting of Lowe and Oram. Some would argue that there's no right or wrong way to play psychotics, with no rhyme or reason for their behaviour.
As co-writers of the film, Lowe and Oram have fully inhabited the roles of Tina and Chris. Each character has a rich history behind their eyes, yet nothing is as important as the here and now. They don't play for laughs but they're inherently funny. By immersing themselves in character, the comedy and horror appears effortless as they go about their bloody trek across Britain.
Wheatleys second feature, Kill List has been on my own list for some time. I look forward to seeing his previous efforts and will be keeping a watchful eye on forth-coming projects from the man (apparently there's a few!).
Wheatley is obviously a director of some talent and Sightseers is a trip worth taking.
Like any caravan trip however, there's no getting away from the company you keep. Anyone willing to sit down in front of this film is in it for the long-haul!
Slowly but surely we get under the skin of these two psychotics - and by the end of the film, any empathy we once had for them is long gone.
As unsettling as it is to watch, one can't fault the film itself. It's been beautifully photographed by Laurie Rose. The soundtrack is spot-on - the choice of pop music from the 80's effectively contrasting with the strange odyssey on screen.
The biggest triumph with Sightseers is the casting of Lowe and Oram. Some would argue that there's no right or wrong way to play psychotics, with no rhyme or reason for their behaviour.
As co-writers of the film, Lowe and Oram have fully inhabited the roles of Tina and Chris. Each character has a rich history behind their eyes, yet nothing is as important as the here and now. They don't play for laughs but they're inherently funny. By immersing themselves in character, the comedy and horror appears effortless as they go about their bloody trek across Britain.
Wheatleys second feature, Kill List has been on my own list for some time. I look forward to seeing his previous efforts and will be keeping a watchful eye on forth-coming projects from the man (apparently there's a few!).
Wheatley is obviously a director of some talent and Sightseers is a trip worth taking.
Like any caravan trip however, there's no getting away from the company you keep. Anyone willing to sit down in front of this film is in it for the long-haul!
3/5
Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com
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