Thus far, Richard Ayoade is best known as an eccentric comic presence on TV’s The IT Crowd, but that’s certain to change with the release of this debut feature as writer-director; a quirky, cine-literate coming-of-age saga which gives early Wes Anderson a run for his money. Swansea schoolboy Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts) can’t work out why, given his cool taste in everything, he’s still a virgin, and sets out to remedy this situation with pert, knowing classmate Jordana (Yasmin Paige). Grown-up emotions are a tricky thing however, hence the strain faced by his parents (Noah Taylor and Sally Hawkins) after the recent return of her old flame, a new-age motivational speaker (Paddy Considine, tearing it up). The travails of a smart lad on the cusp of troubling adulthood unfold with much French New Wave formal friskiness and a dash of Rushmore-style happy-sad allure. It’s a fresh and funny calling card from a talented filmmaker eager to share his intoxication with the medium. (Notes by Trevor Johnston).