Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Studio: Focus Features
Jun 23, 2012
Issue #41 - Yeasayer
The world’s going to end in 21 days, and what are you going to do? Neighbors Dodge (Steve Carell) and Penny (Keira Knightley) use the impending Armageddon as a reason to reconnect with loved ones, embarking on a road trip to track down Dodge’s high school sweetheart and find Penny a flight across the pond to visit her British parents.
As expected, nuttiness ensues along the way as the apocalypse demolishes mankind’s inhibitions. Darkly funny throughout, the film works best in its most off-kilter scenes, which show the rapid disintegration of civilization at large. (Particularly memorable are a tour of a survivalists’ bunker and a run-in with a cult of overly friendly waiters.) Unfortunately for first-time director Lorene Scafaria—who wrote the screenplay for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist—it’s hard to swallow the attraction between Carell, the unwaveringly glum schlub, and Knightley, the emotional, spontaneous manic pixie dream girl he dislikes for so much of the movie. They’re regularly at odds with each other, which raises the question of why they stick together, much less fall so hopelessly in love. The end of their story comes close to delivering a real emotional sucker punch, but it’s softened by the forced romantic chemistry. (www.focusfeatures.com)
Author rating: 5/10
Current Issue
Issue #72
Apr 19, 2024 Issue #72 - The ‘90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore
Most Recent
- Under the Radar Announces The ’90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore on the Covers (News) — The Cardigans, Thurston Moore, Sonic Youth, Garbage, The Cranberries, Pavement, Lisa Loeb, Supergrass, Spiritualized, Lush, Miki Berenyi, Miki Berenyi Trio, Emma Anderson, Hatchie, Ride, Slowdive, Velocity Girl, Penelope Spheeris, Terry Gilliam, Gus Van Sant, Ron Underwood, Kula Shaker, Salad, Foals, Semisonic, The Boo Radleys, Stereo MC’s, Pale Saints, Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney, Cocteau Twins, Lucy Dacus, Alex Lahey, Horsegirl, Grandaddy, alt-J, Squid, The Natvral, Wolf Alice, Jess Williamson, Sunflower Bean, Orville Peck, Joel McHale
- 10 Best Songs of the Week: Fontaines D.C., Cassandra Jenkins, Loma, John Grant, and More (News) — Songs of the Week, Fontaines D.C., Cassandra Jenkins, Loma, John Grant, Good Looks, Hana Vu, Belle and Sebastian, Yannis & The Yaw, Strand of Oaks, Home Counties
- Fresh Shares New EP ‘Merch Girl’ (News) — Fresh
- Premiere: LOVECOLOR Shares New Video for “Crazy Love” (News) — LOVECOLOR
- Final Summer (Review) — Cloud Nothings
Comments
Submit your comment
There are no comments for this entry yet.