Directed by Lisle Turner and written by Janet Etuk, who also stars in the film, it’s 2005 and Lisa is at a house party, receiving advice on her two crushes by a mysterious party companion. Also starring: Taneetrah Porter, Vigs Otite and Bunmi Osadolor.
Firstly, Lisle Turner taps straight into 2005, recreating the era effortlessly. It’s a keen reminder of how terrible the fashion was and how the language of the 2000s wasn’t much less cringeworthy than what Gen Z comes up with today. So, it will very quickly hit a strong nostalgic button for anyone who was born in the 80s and 90s. Not only does Turner get the feel and look right, he captures the awkwardness and pressure for conformity.
That’s really what Turner and Janet Etuk do best with Shoobs, they build a foundation which is charming, funny and social, then they quietly blend in the larger issues. The key one being that desire to fit in which any queer person can relate to, but it will hit the strongest with those who grew up in the 2000s. There’s a lot of different notes linking back to mental health and that idea of making choices to blend into the crowd and make life easier, that will ultimately make you more unhappy.
It’s an interesting blend as the tone of Shoobs is light and playful, it can be endearingly clumsy and cheeky but beneath that is something sombre and contemplative. Turner and Etuk do a great job of portraying that internal struggle and the façade hiding it. That balance then also comes through with the performances, Taneetrah Porter gives us the complexity of a young woman figuring out her place in the world and what she wants. Janet Etuk brings plenty of humour but also the reminder to think beyond the now. Bunmi Osadolor is very sweet and charming, and a surprisingly thoughtful male character for a short that takes place twenty years ago.
Shoobs on the surface is very British, funny and charming then when you dig a little, it’s also a surprising exploration of self-identity, sexuality and social conformity. Lisle Turner gives the film a grounded yet light feel, so it can move freely between comedy and drama. There’s an excellent cast at work, led superbly by Taneetrah Porter, who makes for a great duo with writer Etuk. It’s cleverly deceptive, really embracing the classic noughties vibe of being a little cheesy and vapid but adding a lot of layers to it.
FilmCarnage.com 