Steve Carell and Keira Knightley star in this apocalyptic comedy following two neighbors who set out for one last road trip after learning that a massive asteroid will wipe out all life on Earth in just three weeks. Dodge (Carell) and Penny (Knightly) are both having a very bad day. This mismatched pair spend their time on the road together, their journey takes on a new meaning -- one that neither could have ever seen coming, but which both sense was the way things were meant to be. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry.
Release Date: Jun 22, 2012
Rated R for language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence
Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.
Genres: Romance
Review:
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a tonally uneven film that goes from one extreme to another. While the cast is committed to their roles and both bring some verifiable heart to the roles and story, you wouldn’t be the only to feel like you are watching 2 different films. During the first half of the film it works well as a dark comedy dealing with all the extremes that seem plausible in the face of impending doom. The 2nd half plays more like a romantic comedy with a heady philosophical slant. The shift is clunky and noticeable occurring as soon as the musical cues become more and more pronounced. Lorene Scafaria, who directed the underrated Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, seems to have a lot on her mind here and there’s some strong themes and ideas at work but she never seems to finds a steady cohesive flow for it all. Carrell and Knightley seem incredibly mismatched at first glance but as the film moves on they find a certain rhythm together, sharing some impressive yet subtle scenes together. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a strange film that could have worked had it picked a direction and stuck with it. That being said, if you prep yourself for a massive shift in tone, you may find plenty to like here.
B-
This sounds like the most random film ever!
ReplyDeleteKnightly and Carell make a really strange pairing but it sounds even stranger that they make it work.
Will have to check out the trailer
K :-)
It really is a strange pairing and at first and it doesn't really work yet later in the film it really does. I will warn you the trailer sells it as a straight comedy, that's only true for the first half.
DeleteI added this to my Netflix queue though it won't be released for another few more weeks :( I really don't like how the movie industry pulled that one. I have to be honest, the only reason why I am even thinking about watching this is because it reminds me of this Chris Cornell song :) Good review
ReplyDelete--DJ
Yeah I don't get why they do that with releasing movies. Which Chris Cornell song?
DeletePreaching to the end of the world.
DeleteI'm not familiar with that one.
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