Starring: Steve Carell and Keira Knightley
Directed by and Screenplay by: Lorene Scafaria
It's a countdown to the end of days. Haven't we seen this before?
An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, giving everyone on Earth three weeks to live before the strike ends civilization. Dodge Peterson (Steve Carell) is a man whose wife has just left him with the news of the incoming doom and now must spend the rest of his three weeks alone, unless he can find someone to spend time with before the end of the world.
So say hello to Penny (Keira Knightley), a young woman who is in a similar situation. She's dealing with a break-up when she meets Dodge. Will this friendship remain simply a friendship until everyone's untimely conclusion, or will there be something more to this relationship until then?
Firstly, if you thought this film was going to be a comedy and nobody has told you otherwise, then let me be the first by informing you that it's a much more serious film than a comedy. But don't let that spoil your entertainment, because it has its comedic parts.
We often see Steve Carell in hilarious comedies such as the TV show The Office and films like Anchorman (2004). But this is quite a different role for him. He plays a rather emotionless, detached character who doesn't carry the story forward very well himself. But he plays the role excellently. In fact he does it so well and brings so little life and excitement to the character thus making Dodge seem like a really boring person. He portrays this lifeless character as lifelessly as possible.
Keira Knightley also plays a quite different role than she normally plays. We normally see her in period pieces such as the Pirates of the Caribbean films and her upcoming role in Anna Karenina (coming out later in 2012). This is different for her because the film takes place during modern times (when she usually plays roles in films that take place in the past). She brings a lot of life and excitement to a more lively character than that of Dodge. Her performance is as usual, extraordinary.
The story of the film, while quite short, but detailed, is told in a pretty good way. There are no plot holes and no subplots to confuse people. But it is obvious from the title of the film what will happen at the end. Also, this is one of those films that can pretty much be summed up by simply watching the trailer for it. Everything that happens in the trailer also happens in the film.
Overall, the film is entertaining, yet depressing at the same time because it is easy to become attached to these characters. Many people can relate to them in some way, making it easier to become attached to them. What is depressing is that we already know what is going to happen to them at the end. Like I said, it is made obvious by the title of the film. I can't say whether or not I'd recommend this film to people either. You'll either like it a bit, or you'll just hate it.
I give Seeking a Friend for the End of the World a B-.
Directed by and Screenplay by: Lorene Scafaria
It's a countdown to the end of days. Haven't we seen this before?
An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, giving everyone on Earth three weeks to live before the strike ends civilization. Dodge Peterson (Steve Carell) is a man whose wife has just left him with the news of the incoming doom and now must spend the rest of his three weeks alone, unless he can find someone to spend time with before the end of the world.
So say hello to Penny (Keira Knightley), a young woman who is in a similar situation. She's dealing with a break-up when she meets Dodge. Will this friendship remain simply a friendship until everyone's untimely conclusion, or will there be something more to this relationship until then?
Firstly, if you thought this film was going to be a comedy and nobody has told you otherwise, then let me be the first by informing you that it's a much more serious film than a comedy. But don't let that spoil your entertainment, because it has its comedic parts.
We often see Steve Carell in hilarious comedies such as the TV show The Office and films like Anchorman (2004). But this is quite a different role for him. He plays a rather emotionless, detached character who doesn't carry the story forward very well himself. But he plays the role excellently. In fact he does it so well and brings so little life and excitement to the character thus making Dodge seem like a really boring person. He portrays this lifeless character as lifelessly as possible.
Keira Knightley also plays a quite different role than she normally plays. We normally see her in period pieces such as the Pirates of the Caribbean films and her upcoming role in Anna Karenina (coming out later in 2012). This is different for her because the film takes place during modern times (when she usually plays roles in films that take place in the past). She brings a lot of life and excitement to a more lively character than that of Dodge. Her performance is as usual, extraordinary.
The story of the film, while quite short, but detailed, is told in a pretty good way. There are no plot holes and no subplots to confuse people. But it is obvious from the title of the film what will happen at the end. Also, this is one of those films that can pretty much be summed up by simply watching the trailer for it. Everything that happens in the trailer also happens in the film.
Overall, the film is entertaining, yet depressing at the same time because it is easy to become attached to these characters. Many people can relate to them in some way, making it easier to become attached to them. What is depressing is that we already know what is going to happen to them at the end. Like I said, it is made obvious by the title of the film. I can't say whether or not I'd recommend this film to people either. You'll either like it a bit, or you'll just hate it.
I give Seeking a Friend for the End of the World a B-.
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