Year: 2012
Country: US
Language: English
The end of the world has been a subject of many films, moreso nowadays because of the real paranoid delusions of the world ending in December of this year. What would you do if the end of the world was coming soon? Would you fight your fear of death? Would you become a reckless looter? Would you tell how much you love your friends? Personally I would probably contemplate so much during those wee hours that I wouldn't have time to do anything. This is, of course, if I have per-concieved knowledge about the event before it happens. To know that everything that ever lived on Earth would be completely destroyed on one catastrophic event would be both terrifying and depressing.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World has the opportunity to be incredibly depressing on subject matter alone, yet it avoids that and is somewhat of a romantic comedy with a dark twist. A happy ending for the characters involved doesn't really seem possible, unless some divine miracle happens. The main character Dodge (Steve Carrell) is a little gloomy about hearing the sad news, as most people would be, to make matters worse his wife walks out on him for another man and missions to destroy the asteroid of doom have only made things worse
Everything you would expect during an apocalypse happens; people go absolutely nuts. Looters, baptisms, intense news coverage, apocalypse obsessed radio stations and orgies fit for a Roman king. Dodge is alone, the only friend he has is a shadow...and a cute dog. Then he meets Penny (Keira Knightly) and the two become almost inseparable. They talk about a road trip that should ultimately bring them to the people they love.
Like most road trip movies, this film settles on a cliche. It's not about the destination, but the journey and the people you meet along the way. They meet survivalists who think they can outsmart death and loads of desperate people who just want a friend to die with them. I suppose the behavior of the people in this film would be quite appropriate for an apocalyptic scenario. There would be loads of people converting to Christianity just in case there's an afterlife. There would also be loads of people who just need a friend to guide them, some will find God, others will find comfort in people and pets.
There is some real human beauty in this film, a positive film regarding the end of life is welcomed and a relief from the loads of depressing films Hollywood dishes out. I feel this film had the potential to be something great but dropped the ball with a poor third act and not so interesting character revelations. However I admire the effort and I am inspired by this more positive outlook regarding death.
In conclusion, if you are depressed and wish to be cheered up then this is the film for you. I found the message regarding the spirit of human endurance and the want to be loved very uplifting. Sure it isn't the best made film and I think a few changes needed to be made but it's forgivable. Not worth buying, but definitely see it once. 2.5/5
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