Synopsis:
In this highly imaginative, delightfully absurdist comedy from visionary director Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth), Colin Farrell stars as David, a man who has just been dumped by his wife. To make matters worse, David lives in a society where single people have 45 days to find true love, or else they are turned into the animal of their choice and released into the woods. David is kept at the mysterious HOTEL while he searches for a new partner, and after several romantic misadventures decides to make a daring escape to abandon this world. He ultimately joins up with a rebel faction known as The Loners, a group founded on a complete rejection of romance. But once there David meets an enigmatic stranger (Rachel Weisz) who stirs up unexpected and strong feelings within him…
At once a full immersion into a strange and surreal world, and a witty and clever reflection of our own society, The Lobster is a thrillingly audacious vision fully brought to life by Lanthimos and his terrific cast. The filmmaker displays a completely singular style and mastery of tone, finding the perfect balance between sharp-edged satire and romantic fable that entertains its audience while also leaving them with lots to reflect on long after the credits have rolled.
What We Thought:
The Lobster is one of the best dark comedies in years. It’s absurd yet you find yourself laughing out loud at its absurdity.
The movie is about being single and if you don’t connect with someone, you become an animal. You get a certain time period to meet someone and if you don’t, you become a dog or cat or lobster, etc. That premise alone is absurd.
But it’s the actors’ delivery and actions that make it funny. They deadpan all their lines and act like this situation is normal because to them it is. Colin Farrell’s character has a dog that used to be his brother. He knows the rules and must obey them, find a partner in time or become a lobster. Totally normal, right?
It’s those rules and the environment that is so very comical. The hotel is very strict, you aren’t allowed to masturbate or do things without their permission. You must go out and hunt. If you capture a person, you get time added to your stay. You eat when they tell you. There’s dances and activities. The whole thing is preposterous.
With someone like John C. Reilly in the film you expect there to be comedy, but everyone in the cast is given just enough to laugh at. The ridiculous situations, the random animals you see, one character becoming blind, others trying to break out and not follow the rules, it’s silly and sort of dumb, but the talent makes it really dark and funny.
Colin Farrell is an underrated actor to me and he’s just fantastic in this. He’s just as good as Joaquin Phoenix in Her. In fact, Her and The Lobster would make a great doubleheader of insanely odd romance movies. Rachel Weisz is great as usual and continues to not age. She has really great chemistry with Farrell in this. When the movie shifts in directions and they become the focus, you genuinely believe their relationship.
The Lobster is one of those films that’s really hard to discuss without giving away much. It’s also hard to discuss because unless someone knows about it, they’ll have no idea what you’re talking about. I totally dug it and can see it making my Top 10 of the year. I want to see it again because I know I’ll catch things I didn’t care the first time. I laughed out loud many times and for that reason, the movie is…
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Cast & Crew:
- Colin Farrell
- Rachel Weisz
- John C. Reilly
- Ben Whishaw
Recommended If You Like:
- Dogtooth
- Her
- Dark Comedies
The Nerds Templar 