Joey Magidson
I don’t have any issue with a film being quirky. In fact, there are many movies where the quirk factor is a major reason why I like it. The thing is, you need to also make your quirky project compelling in some way. Bubble & Squeak fails that test, almost immediately. From the jump, the flick is plodding, ponderous, and almost entirely free of laughs. So, there’s just nothing here to latch on to. It’s one of the leads compelling Sundance Film Festival titles of 2025.
Bubble & Squeak wants you to find everything to be equal parts absurdist and charming. Instead, it’s simply grating. The first scene really sets the stage for what’s to come. If it amuses you, then you’re likely to enjoy what happens in the subsequent 90 minutes or so. If it comes off as annoying, or worse, then strap in, since that’s what you’re in for. Myself? It became quite the chore to sit through.
Newlyweds Declan (Himesh Patel) and Delores (Sarah Goldberg) have come to an unnamed Eastern European country for their honeymoon. No sooner do they arrive then they’re detained by government agents, accused by Bkofl (Steven Yeun) of smuggling cabbages into the nation. You see, the vegetable is strictly prohibited, given its role in a recent war. It was all the citizens could eat, so now that peace has been achieved, cabbages are no longer allowed. They deny having any of the veggie, even though Delores’ legs are oddly bulging under her pants. Escaping from the building, they go on the run.
As the couple seek safety, they’re pursued by Shazbor (Matt Berry), the head of Customs, who is determined to catch them and make an example of the pair. That’s one issue for the duo. The other is that, as they bicker, Declan and Delores are beginning to realize just how little they actually have in common.
The cast tries their best, that much you can’t hold against them. Sarah Goldberg and Himesh Patel are saddled with such monotone line deliveries to make, as well as just rote dialogue, that there’s little they can do. They’re all in, so there’s that, at least. Steven Yeun is wasted, while Matt Berry is having a little bit of fun, albeit without being able to get as silly as he normally would. The supporting cast also includes a cameo for Dave Franco, marking another Sundance appearance for him this year.
Filmmaker Evan Twohy definitely thinks that he’s making a cult comedy classic here. Bubble & Squeak is not that, though, let me tell you. The flat monotone of everyone wears thin quickly, alongside a very thin plot. It looks fine, and Twohy is clearly realizing his vision, so there’s that. It’s just not a vision that I enjoyed at all.
Bubble & Squeak did not amuse me in the slightest. I’m sure it’s for someone, since just about every film is. For me? This was one of the lowlights of Sundance this year. The movie just does not work at all. It’s a chore and wastes nearly everyone involved. Alas.
SCORE: ★★
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