“Bubble & Squeak”: A Surreal Comedy that Pushes Boundaries
“We should have gone to Bora Bora like the Pattersons,” laments Delores, played by Sarah Goldberg, in Bubble & Squeak, the feature debut of writer-director Evan Twohy. This quirky, absurdist comedy, reminiscent of the late Jeff Baena’s work and heavily influenced by Sacha Baron Cohen’s Borat films, is a bold, Sundance-style exploration of the bizarre. Clocking in at a lean 97 minutes, the film is a rollercoaster of madcap humor that will either captivate or exhaust its audience.
The story kicks off with Delores and her husband Declan,portrayed by Himesh Patel,sitting in a nondescript,steely-gray office room. The couple, on their honeymoon, chose to venture “off the beaten track,” landing in a mysterious, unnamed country that feels like a surreal blend of South Korea and the former Yugoslavia. Declan, ever the curious traveler, shares tidbits about the region, including its 13 dialects and a church made entirely of bundled hay.
But the real twist comes when Declan detects a faint smell of cabbage—a scent that shouldn’t exist in this country.The locals despise cabbage so much that it’s outright banned, a relic of a war where they were forced to eat nothing but the vegetable. This seemingly innocuous detail becomes the catalyst for chaos when customs officer Bkofl, played by Steven Yeun,accuses the couple of smuggling cabbages in their pants. “This is not a crime we take lightly,” Bkofl declares, setting the stage for a series of increasingly absurd events.
The punishment? A $70,000 fine, a beating with a rusty bat, the chopping off of their fingertips, and a public execution where they must choose wich one of them will be shot. When declan invokes international law, Bkofl conveniently goes deaf, pressuring them to sign a confession. The tension escalates as Bkofl threatens to bring in his fearsome colleague, Shazbor, played by Matt Berry.
In a desperate bid for freedom, Declan uses a travel screwdriver from his fanny pack to pry open the windows, and the couple escapes. but the mystery deepens: what are the strange circular lumps in Delores’ jogging bottoms?
The film’s absurdity reaches new heights when Bkofl, unable to handle the situation, informs Shazbor, who promptly cripples him. This darkly comedic twist underscores the film’s commitment to its surreal premise, blending humor with a touch of menace.| Key Highlights of Bubble & Squeak |
|—————————————–|
| director: Evan Twohy |
| Cast: Sarah Goldberg, Himesh Patel, Steven Yeun, Matt Berry |
| Runtime: 97 minutes |
| Tone: Absurdist, surreal comedy |
| Influences: jeff Baena, borat |
Bubble & Squeak is a film that demands yoru full attention and a willingness to embrace the absurd. For fans of offbeat comedies, it’s a must-watch. for others, it might feel like an eternity. Either way, it’s a bold debut that cements Evan Twohy as a filmmaker unafraid to push boundaries.What do you think of Bubble & Squeak’s surreal humor? Share your thoughts below!
Bubble & Squeak: A wild, Satirical Journey Through Forests and Cabbages
Evan Twohy’s Bubble & Squeak is a film that defies easy categorization.Part road movie, part satire, and part absurdist comedy, it takes viewers on a bizarre yet captivating journey through forests, black markets, and the quirks of human nature. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in the US Dramatic Competition, the film has already sparked conversations for its unique blend of humor and poignancy.
A Road Movie Without roads
The story follows Declan (Himesh Patel) and Dolores (Sarah Goldberg), two americans navigating a foreign land filled with danger and absurdity. Their journey begins as they attempt to cross the border through miles of dense forest, encountering a series of increasingly strange obstacles.From mantraps and nets to the ominously named west Burmese Neck-Snapper, the couple’s trek is anything but ordinary.
Their first encounter is with a local family,whose son Timotej—described as having Hitler-jugend vibes—fixes them with his piercing blue eyes. Unnerved by his disapproving gaze, Declan and Dolores quickly move on, only to stumble upon a ferocious brown bear. But this is no ordinary bear—it’s Norman (Dave Franco),a former cocaine smuggler turned cabbage trader.
The Cabbage King
Norman, with his debonair charm, quickly wins over Dolores, though Declan remains suspicious. Norman’s trade in cabbages—“Red,napa,savoy,cannonball”—fuels a growing black market among the country’s youth. His character adds a layer of dark humor to the film, as he guides the couple to a nearby train station where they hope to cross the border.
The film’s dialog is sharp and often arch, with moments like Dolores asking Declan (and later Norman) for their thoughts on “the most disappointing dessert.” These exchanges add a quirky, almost surreal quality to the narrative, keeping viewers on their toes.
A Satire with Heart
At its core, Bubble & Squeak is a satire of the classic Americans-abroad nightmare movie. Imagine Midnight Express set in Kazakhstan, and you’ll have a sense of the film’s tone. The movie is carried by its likeable leads, Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg, whose chemistry keeps the story grounded even as it veers into the absurd.Director Evan twohy doesn’t shy away from taking risks, though the film’s ending—an unexpectedly poignant note—has divided audiences.Some argue that Bubble & Squeak is a one-joke movie, but that joke is frequently enough hilarious and even cautionary. As one critic noted, “You will never travel with cabbages in your carry-on ever again.”
Key Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Title | Bubble & Squeak |
| Festival | Sundance (US Dramatic Competition) |
| Sales Agent | Obscured Pictures |
| Director/Screenwriter| Evan Twohy |
| Cast | Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg, Steven Yeun, Dave Franco, Matt Berry |
| Running Time | 1 hour 37 minutes |
A Standout performance
One of the film’s standout performances comes from Matt Berry, who plays Shazbor, a faithful party apparatchik and staunch defender of his country’s traditions. unlike Berry’s usual larger-than-life roles, Shazbor speaks with a soft, Werner Herzog-like burr. His insistence that only English be spoken in his presence adds another layer of absurdity to the film. “When we’re finished with the Americans,” he declares, “they will wish they have never smuggled cabbages into their pants.”
Final Thoughts
Bubble & Squeak may not be for everyone, but it’s a film that refuses to be ignored. Its blend of satire, absurdity, and unexpected heart makes it a standout entry in this year’s Sundance lineup. Weather you’re drawn to its quirky humor or its cautionary tale about cabbages, this is one journey you won’t soon forget.
For more updates on Bubble & Squeak and other Sundance highlights, stay tuned to Deadline.
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What’s your take on Bubble & Squeak? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Interview: Exploring the Quirky World of Bubble & Squeak
Editor: Let’s dive into the unique world of Bubble & Squeak. The film has been described as a satirical take on the classic Americans-abroad nightmare. Can you elaborate on how the film balances absurdity with its underlying themes?
Guest: Absolutely! Bubble & Squeak is a interesting blend of dark humor and satire. at its core, it’s a commentary on cultural misunderstandings and the absurdity of bureaucracy, but it’s wrapped in this surreal, almost dreamlike narrative.The film takes the familiar trope of Americans finding themselves in over their heads abroad—think Midnight Express—and transplants it to a setting that’s both bizarre and oddly relatable. The use of cabbages as a central motif is a stroke of genius. It’s ridiculous on the surface, but it also serves as a metaphor for the trivialities that can escalate into major conflicts when cultural norms collide.
editor: The character of Norman, played by Dave Franco, is particularly intriguing. How does his role as a former cocaine smuggler turned cabbage trader contribute to the film’s tone?
Guest: Norman is a perfect example of the film’s ability to blend the absurd with the human. On one hand,he’s this larger-than-life figure with a debonair charm that instantly draws you in. But there’s also a vulnerability to him—a sense that he’s trying to reinvent himself in a world that’s constantly shifting. His trade in cabbages, which fuels a black market among the country’s youth, is both hilarious and oddly poignant. It’s a commentary on how even the most mundane things can become symbols of rebellion or desire. Dave Franco brings a lot of nuance to the role, making Norman both a source of comic relief and a key emotional anchor in the story.
Editor: The film’s dialog has been praised for its sharpness and wit. can you share an example of how the script uses humor to enhance the narrative?
Guest: One of my favorite moments is when Dolores asks both Declan and Norman for their thoughts on “the most disappointing dessert.” It’s such a random, offbeat question, but it’s delivered with such earnestness that it becomes a moment of genuine connection between the characters.These quirky exchanges are scattered throughout the film, and they serve to keep the audience on their toes. The humor is never just for laughs—it’s always tied to the characters’ personalities or the situation they’re in.It’s a testament to Evan Twohy’s skill as a writer that he can make something as simple as a conversation about dessert feel both surreal and deeply human.
Editor: Matt Berry’s performance as Shazbor has been highlighted as a standout. How does his character add to the film’s absurdity?
Guest: Matt Berry is a revelation in this role. Shazbor is this staunch defender of his country’s traditions, but he’s also hilariously out of touch with reality. His insistence that only English be spoken in his presence is such a bizarre detail, but it’s played with such deadpan seriousness that it becomes one of the film’s funniest running gags. Berry’s delivery, with that soft, Werner Herzog-like burr, adds an extra layer of absurdity to the character. Shazbor is both a figure of authority and a source of comic relief, and Berry walks that line perfectly. His declaration that the Americans will regret smuggling cabbages into their pants is a line that’s going to stick with audiences for a long time.
Editor: The film’s ending has been described as unexpectedly poignant. Without giving too much away, how does it tie together the film’s themes?
Guest: The ending is definitely a divisive moment, but I think it’s one of the film’s strengths. Without spoiling anything, it brings the story full circle in a way that’s both surprising and deeply satisfying. It’s a moment that underscores the film’s central themes of redemption and the absurdity of human ambition. The journey that Declan and Dolores go on is ultimately about finding meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and nonsensical. The ending captures that perfectly, leaving the audience with a sense of closure but also a lot to think about. It’s a bold choice, but it’s one that pays off in a big way.
Editor: what do you think makes Bubble & Squeak stand out in this year’s Sundance lineup?
Guest: Bubble & Squeak is a film that refuses to be ignored. It’s not just the quirky humor or the absurd premise—it’s the way it balances those elements with genuine heart and a sharp satirical edge. The performances, particularly from Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg, are fantastic, and they bring a lot of depth to what could have been a one-note story. Evan Twohy’s direction is confident and daring, and he’s not afraid to take risks. Whether you’re drawn to its humor, its commentary, or its unexpected emotional beats, Bubble & Squeak is a film that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a standout in this year’s Sundance lineup, and I think it’s going to spark a lot of conversations.
Conclusion
Bubble & Squeak is a film that defies easy categorization. With its blend of satire, absurdity, and unexpected heart, it’s a journey that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. Whether you’re a fan of dark humor or just looking for something different,this is a film that’s well worth your time.
