As prophesied by some, the end of the world is December 22nd, 2012. Thus a dearth of films focusing on these final days. In the case of "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," it's a massive, looming asteroid about a month out.
This film is a wide swath of response to the really, really bad news. There's the expected break down of society, wild abandon into drugs, alcohol and sex, but "Seeking..." also offers a peek into those peacefully accepting their fate with dignity while still mowing the lawn or, duty-bound, to cleaning a home days before the impact. The dichotomy tracks from a first half heavy on the comedy (a stop at a still-open chain restaurant is a hoot), light on the drama and then ever so gently flips. Predictably, the track starts in the city and leads to the country which furthers the misconception bumpkins hold the trump in dignified behavior.
Steve Carrell, with his understated deadpan, forwards the plot admirably. Near the film's coda while listening to The Walker Brother's "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" he lies down in abject emotional pain. The response to this scene was highly personal, but the heartbreaking performance is Carrell's finest minute on film.
Keira Knightley is a flaky, pothead neighbor going along on a contrived road trip: he to reach a long lost soulmate, she to a plane to reach her family. Ms. Knightley tries real hard (as does Carrell), but the chemistry with him fizzles. Their on screen near miss, in a romance with intense turns, is a major disappointment.
That "Seeking..." took a few chances is the elevation of an otherwise tired plot. Conversely, taking only a few chances is a deflation. There are two films within: one hackneyed end-of-the-world RomCom and a thought provoking meditation about how people face death. The mash-up nearly works brilliantly.
"Seeking..." is an enjoyable yet sometimes frustrating film. (A scene with Carrell attempting to heal with Dad, Martin Sheen, is incredibly awkward.) Someone spoke, "I'll take this over big budget fare like 'Batman' or 'The Avengers'." There's much to be said for the simplicity of that critique.
With elements of comedy and serious drama, "Seeking..." will neither completely satisfy those sniffing for laughs nor appease those digging for a meaning. While sometimes quite clever and mind-numbingly familiar, if given a chance "Seeking..." might entertain.
This film is a wide swath of response to the really, really bad news. There's the expected break down of society, wild abandon into drugs, alcohol and sex, but "Seeking..." also offers a peek into those peacefully accepting their fate with dignity while still mowing the lawn or, duty-bound, to cleaning a home days before the impact. The dichotomy tracks from a first half heavy on the comedy (a stop at a still-open chain restaurant is a hoot), light on the drama and then ever so gently flips. Predictably, the track starts in the city and leads to the country which furthers the misconception bumpkins hold the trump in dignified behavior.
Steve Carrell, with his understated deadpan, forwards the plot admirably. Near the film's coda while listening to The Walker Brother's "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" he lies down in abject emotional pain. The response to this scene was highly personal, but the heartbreaking performance is Carrell's finest minute on film.
Keira Knightley is a flaky, pothead neighbor going along on a contrived road trip: he to reach a long lost soulmate, she to a plane to reach her family. Ms. Knightley tries real hard (as does Carrell), but the chemistry with him fizzles. Their on screen near miss, in a romance with intense turns, is a major disappointment.
That "Seeking..." took a few chances is the elevation of an otherwise tired plot. Conversely, taking only a few chances is a deflation. There are two films within: one hackneyed end-of-the-world RomCom and a thought provoking meditation about how people face death. The mash-up nearly works brilliantly.
"Seeking..." is an enjoyable yet sometimes frustrating film. (A scene with Carrell attempting to heal with Dad, Martin Sheen, is incredibly awkward.) Someone spoke, "I'll take this over big budget fare like 'Batman' or 'The Avengers'." There's much to be said for the simplicity of that critique.
With elements of comedy and serious drama, "Seeking..." will neither completely satisfy those sniffing for laughs nor appease those digging for a meaning. While sometimes quite clever and mind-numbingly familiar, if given a chance "Seeking..." might entertain.