Sightseers – Review

A long caravan trip is planned through rural England. Chris (Oram) and his girl Tina Read (Lowe) are to hit the streets and find adventure. First, Tina has to escape her daunting mother Carol (Davies) who has separation anxiety and is not very supportive or trusting of Chris.

Once the vehicle is loaded up, the couple hit the backroads for a week-long holiday. Things get off to an auspicious start as a littering “pig in clothing” almost ruins a historical tram tour for the couple. Strangely enough the couple collide with him again shortly after as they go to leave town. This leaves quite an impression on the man.

As Chris and Tina get back on the road, events get crazier and even more outlandish. While they try to enjoy Yorkshire and small museums, towns, campsites, and pit stops, deathly hijinks keep brushing the couples’ trip.

Sightseers is a dark comedy which is totally fun yet insanely eccentric and grotesque. For those with an adventurous spirit and a morbid sense of humor, this will bust your funny bone right out of your arm. The director has a good hold on the material at hand and delivers a hard to anticipate experience.

The script is short and sweet, full of clever liens and dark moments. The film is cohesive despite the jarring offbeat moments intertwined with the “sweet” couple’s attempt to have a fun holiday. While the cast is tiny, the characters are good and the stars drive home their reactions to the ongoing events very well. Their balance of seriousness and goofiness works well in the wacky script. Overall, it is quite an observation and satire of relationships and life.

But, uh, I’ve had a bit of a problem with writer’s block. You know, been… creative constipation.