SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

2012 / Director. Lorene Scarafia. 

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is nicely done. We see all sorts of movies about armageddon and they always deal with panic and military efforts to thwart the inevitable... in most cases humanity is saved at the 11th hour. This nice little film ignores all of that the focuses on two people, alone in the world at the end of days, who meet and become friends. Their names are Dodge (Steve Carrell) and Penny (Keira Knightly). They've got little in common other than being alone and in the remaining days they travel together in a final attempt to reconnect with loved ones. This is a unique film. At times hilarious and often sincere and dramatic... its an unexpected delight. The study of behaviour is interestingly done. When Earth's pending destruction is confirmed Dodge's wife opens the passenger side door of her car and runs away... one of his friends plies his kids with alcohol and others throw caution to the wind with orgies, adultery and even assassinations. For all of its comical stylings, there is a real heart to the film. Carrell is great as always... he does these smaller indie roles so well. Keira Knightly is one of my least favourite actresses but she's tolerable in this and thankfully by the end of it she's completely loveable. The film lags in the middle but picks itself up quickly. The ensemble of bit-roles are great also with Martin Sheen, William Peterson, Adam Brody and Rob Corddry adding some quirky and comical fluff along the way... the final scene of the film is beautiful and it actually evoked a self reflection in me. I put myself into their shoes and wondered how I would respond to their circumstances. I'm looking forward to watching this film again because I suspect there's more depth to it still. 

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