Have you ever imagined the grief and sadness that would overcome the people who love you after you pass away? Of course you have. Did it include making national news, and candlelight vigils sprouting up across the world to mark the moment? Probably not.

But for Submarine’s 15-year-old protagonist Oliver Tate (Craig Roberts), imagining such far-fetched fantasies is a daily occurrence. A coming-of-age film about the imaginative and inquisitive schoolboy is relatable, but is it as important as its opening lines suggest? Not really — but it is witty.

Directed by The I.T. Crowd’s Richard Ayoade in his behind-the-lens debut, Submarine follows the life and consequences of Oliver, who is often torn between catering to his emotionally unavailable girlfriend Jordana (Yasmin Paige) — the girl in red — and his emotionally damaged parents.

The film is introduced in chapters much like a novel — it’s based on a book of the same name by Joe Dunthorne — and features creative cinematography that brings you right back to the ’80s. At times, it feels like watching Polaroid photos flash across the screen.

Oliver knew when his parents’ bedroom light was dimmed, they had sex. He would always check the lights, and they were always bright. He also follows his mother Jill (Sally Hawkins) when she revisits a friendship with eccentric, mulleted old flame Graham (Paddy Considine), as well as listening in on her phone calls. All of this frames Oliver’s struggles to help his parents reconnect again.

No dysfunctional family would be complete without the deadpan void-of-a-father Lloyd (Noah Taylor), who happens to be a marine biologist who barely registers an emotion — or pulse, for that matter.

While the dysfunctional family coming-of-age-story isn’t unique in itself, Submarine’s storytelling provides a refreshing take on what it’s like to be in the head of an imaginative boy during times of emotional strife.

It’s not really a love story as much as it’s a story about love’s struggles, both early in life and later on. It may not be an overly important film, but Submarine is relatable, refreshing and definitely worth watching.