How entertaining? ★★★★☆
Thought provoking? ★★☆☆☆ 5 June 2011
This article is a review of KABOOM. |
"You just said he was putting a load in some pinhead's dryer last night," Stella
The onomatopoeic title nails the explosive ideas percolating in this seductive take on the initial year of university. It is a heady mix of sexual freedom, dreams, reality and the apocalypse. A very different college comedy.
The onomatopoeic title nails the explosive ideas percolating in this seductive take on the initial year of university. It is a heady mix of sexual freedom, dreams, reality and the apocalypse. A very different college comedy.
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The first five minutes have two dreams – both from the central character, Smith (Thomas Dekker) – a recurring one with people that matter to him and those he is yet to meet; and a wet one for his flatmate, Thor, a vapid good-humoured surfer. Kaboom could easily refer to the hormonal ravings within so many of those chronicled, as they bed-hop around campus. Smith notches up a decent amount, without being predatory – actually almost accidentally, including the super-sexy London (Juno Temple). He labels himself as “undeclared” re his sexuality. London epitomises the strong females on display – biting, bright and no-nonsense. There is his mother (Kelly Lynch) – about to do her personal trainer while talking through her bluetooth; his BFF Stella (Haley Bennett) who swats away the unintelligent with mild disdain using monikers such as “ass-tard”; and the object of Stella’s desires, Lorelei (Roxane Mesquida) – a supernatural witch it seems. The guys are of the model variety, and could be out of a Tommy Hilfiger commercial. Yeah, so basically sex-appeal central.
There is so much going on: a murder mystery, romantic hijinks, and a weird cult looming in the background. Added to this is a INCEPTION-esque dream motif which raises questions of whether any of this is happening, and who’s actual delusion this all is.
Sexy and silly and unsettling. Enjoy.