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‘Learning to Breathe Under Water’ Review: Rory Kinnear Shines in an Uneven Serio-Comedy About a Bereaved Father and Son
This is a review of the comedy-drama "Learning to Breathe Under Water," which premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and also screened at the Galway Film Fleadh. Directed by Rebekah Fortune from a script by Richard Brabin, the film follows a bereaved artist, played by Rory Kinnear, who erects a large metal shark on his roof after his wife's death, echoing the real-life Headington Shark sculpture in England. Critic Leslie Felperin finds the film uneven, praising its performances but faulting an inconsistent tone that seems torn between script and direction.
The story centres on Kinnear's character and his young, possibly neurodivergent son Leo, played by Ezra Carlisle, whose deadpan literalism provides some of the film's sharpest comic moments. Maria Bakalova plays a Bulgarian au pair who joins the household and drives the plot towards eventual closure, while touches of stop-motion animation add whimsy reminiscent of director Paul King's early work. However, the review notes the film loses momentum in its second half, descending into sentimentality with a "manufactured conflict" between the au pair and father that undercuts its earlier promise.
In short
- Review of new comedy-drama "Learning to Breathe Under Water" from Karlovy Vary festival
- Rory Kinnear and young co-star Ezra Carlisle praised; film called uneven overall
- Critic says the second half turns mawkish with a contrived conflict
Explained simply
"Learning to Breathe Under Water" is a new comedy-drama that premiered at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The film follows a grieving artist who deals with the death of his wife by building a large metal shark sculpture on his roof. His young son and a Bulgarian au pair also feature prominently in the story.
The film explores how this family navigates grief and their relationships. It has been screened at major festivals including the Galway Film Fleadh, making it a notable recent release. The cast includes British actor Rory Kinnear in the lead role, alongside young performer Ezra Carlisle and actress Maria Bakalova.
The film combines traditional storytelling with touches of stop-motion animation to explore themes of loss and family connection. The young son's way of thinking and speaking is a key source of humour throughout the story.