‘Bubble & Squeak’ Review: Cabbages Are Banned in Quirky Sundance Comedy, but the Laughs Shouldn’t Be

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In what number of instances will the characters utter “cabbages” in a film until it feels like you’re tossing cabbages at the screen instead? With “Bubble & Squeak,” writer-director Evan Twohy aims to discover this – and not much else that matters to modern viewers. Not every movie needs to delve into deep, philosophical themes about humanity, but those that don’t should at least be engaging. However, the brand of absurdity that Twohy employs is not merely forced, but also lacks humor.

In a little, undisclosed Slavic country, largely filmed in Estonia, the quirky film “Bubble & Squeak” starts with an absurd scenario where a mismatched American pair, Declan (famously known from “Yesterday”, played by Himesh Patel) and Delores (Sarah Goldberg, recognized from “Barry”), are under investigation for illegally bringing cabbages into a nation that strictly prohibits them. The couple shows no indication of having any affection or even being familiar with each other.

The dialogue in this movie is mostly spoken in a uniformly monotonous tone, with exceptions being lines delivered by Matt Berry as Shazbor, who portrays the intimidating head of local customs enforcement. His delivery carries a Germanic accent reminiscent of Werner Herzog. For instance, he says, “We will devour their cabbages like ravenous rabbits,” or, “Just as the cat learns the pigeon’s song…” These aren’t profound as Herzog’s aphorisms, but they come close to that style.

At the debut of the film, the director shared that Neil Twohy had initially penned “Bubble & Squeak” in some form at the age of 19 (it originated with a monologue about the most disheartening dessert imaginable). Since then, he’s been refining it continuously. The endeavor led him to the Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters Lab, and eventually secured him a position in competition at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival – a platform where groundbreaking comedies like “Juno,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” and “Little Miss Sunshine” first appeared. This production seems more suited for high-quality streaming content, reminiscent of Tribeca Festivals.

Revisiting the “topic”: In a low-security cell, Declan and Delores chat about their honeymoon spot. “During the conflict, the only food the people of this nation could get was cabbages,” Declan shares with his spouse. She claims they’re “tumors,” but it takes over 45 minutes for the truth to be revealed. Now, the country despises these vegetables, enforcing a complete ban on them. With the interrogator leaving the room, threatening punishment, Declan and Delores find themselves with a chance to flee into the nearby forest, which they do.

Some newlyweds choose tropical paradises like Bora Bora for their honeymoons, while others opt for destinations that are stricter and may not appear conducive to relaxation, with severe punishments for seemingly absurd offenses. You might wonder why anyone would take such a risk, right? Throughout the span of an extended 90 minutes, Twohy shows us that Declan is incredibly cautious (he even wears a countdown watch to keep track of his remaining days, prolonging them by being careful). However, Delores yearns for excitement, so perhaps she was just seeking a change. One thing’s certain: “Bubble & Squeak” would be less amusing if Delores hadn’t smuggled cabbages into her trousers.

You’ve likely noticed by now that Twohy’s film isn’t actually focusing on cabbages, despite their frequent appearance and recurring dialogue. Instead, the film is subtly commenting on relationships, particularly the dynamics of Declan and Delores’ pairing. It’s a mystery how they ended up together in the first place, as the characters’ stiff dialogue provides little insight into their romantic connection. However, we begin to understand their relationship – its challenges, the void it contains, and the threat posed by someone more exciting to their young marriage – when Norman (played by Dave Franco), a known cabbage smuggler disguised in a brown bear costume, enters the scene.

Delores finds herself immediately attracted to this rugged stranger who boasts about slaying a beast with nothing but his bare hands. Meanwhile, Declan attempts to protect them using only a spork. Will the couple be able to endure the challenges posed by the daring wilderness survivor and the long-distance flight from Shazbor pursued by his soldiers? And what will happen to that pile of cabbage in their midst?

Despite being somewhat predictable in its humor, “Bubble & Squeak” manages to set itself apart from most indie comedies. Director Twohy has yet to fully establish his unique style, but he appears overly influenced by Wes Anderson’s work at this point. This isn’t surprising given Anderson’s impact on filmmaking, with his quirky characters and visually striking settings (for those who appreciate Anderson’s work in “Rushmore”, the advice is to develop a signature style that’s similarly unique, but not to simply copy it).

Shazbor’s vibrant red attire, along with a church constructed of interwoven straw, represents a mix of traditional elements – from straight-edged architecture to an eccentric choral soundtrack. It seems Twohy is heavily influenced by tributes. He’ll undoubtedly find the solution in time. Perhaps, he should reduce the amount of reliance on certain themes first.

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2025-01-25 09:16