Before Taika Waititi achieved widespread recognition with films like Thor: Ragnarok or the satirical Jojo Rabbit, he created this smaller, unusual film; a story about two incredibly awkward individuals tentatively reaching for some kind of connection. Eagle vs Shark marks his first feature-length project, and while it doesn't have the polish and certainty present in his later movies, it already showcases what makes his work distinctive: that peculiar sense of humor, that understated sarcasm, and an ability to find both comedy and empathy in people’s eccentricities. Every character in this movie is nerdy, insecure, flawed, damaged in some significant way. Lily, portrayed with affecting accuracy by Loren Horsley (who also helped write the script), works at a fast-food restaurant and has a crush on Jarrod, the video game store employee played by Jemaine Clement with oblivious intensity. Jarrod is organizing a costume party; when Lily appears dressed as a shark to match his eagle costume, the film’s title becomes a visual reminder of Sholom Aleichem's old saying: "A bird may love a fish but where would they build a home together?" Not one person in this movie is cool, no one has their life figured out, and none could be considered the hero of a typical romance. And that’s exactly what it’s going for. Waititi presents a reflection of humanity here, posing the question that underlies all his best work: who among us is truly perfect? Who isn't dealing with some kind of hurt, some misconception, some desperate need for approval? Jarrod’s desire to get back at his high school tormentor turns out to be sad and revealing; his actions toward Lily range from casual indifference to a genuine longing. However, Horsley’s performance keeps us engaged, her Lily so charming, so quietly strong, that we want things to work out for her even when the film's odd style risks becoming overly sentimental. Is it as polished as Hunt for the Wilderpeople or What We Do in the Shadows? Not quite. But it remains genuinely funny, sincerely touching when necessary, and self-assured enough in its strangeness to avoid a simple conclusion. Horsley and Clement perform their roles with precision, creating characters who might have been irritating but instead become strangely endearing. By the film’s end, you feel that these two troubled people could possibly succeed, not because they've been fixed, but because they've found someone else equally broken to share their struggles with. That makes for a pleasant experience and a compassionate view of love.

Source on TMDB