+ 2nd Best Movie of the Year
+ Best Animal Movie of the Year
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| Colin Farrell looks not exactly hopeful embracing someone who has been erased on this mysterious poster for Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster |
A single man checks into a hotel for singles. Here he is to find a partner within 45 days, - or suffer transformation into an animal.
The Lobster is the 5th film from Greek master filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (My Best Friend/O kalyteros mou filos (2001)), co-written with Efthymis Filippou (Alps/Alpeis (2011)). The grotesque premise above delivers material for a divine absurd-comedy, making The Lobster likely the year's funniest film.
But behind the original and eccentric universe also clearly lie many dark and rather cynical observations about humans, our behavior, marriage, single life, monogamy and death. This altogether makes The Lobster a thoroughly unique and fantastic experience, which bears the distinct Lanthimos stamp of poignant, alienated absurdity.
The film has less sex and violence than his biggest success preceding it, the provocative Dogtooth/Kynodontas (2009), which broadens its appeal. So do the cast of international stars, obviously:
Colin Farrell (Daredevil (2003)) is great in arguably the best role of his career yet; Rachel Weisz (The Brothers Bloom (2008)) is also outstanding, and there are several other very good performances; among them are Ben Whishaw (A Hologram for the King (2016)), John C. Reilly (Carnage (2011)) and Olivia Colman (Peep Show (2003-15)).
SPOILER The ending could be described as a bow out, but in this story and Lanthimos' case, I find it appropriate. - It is a sure conversation starter in a film that should be enjoyed in the company of others. The Lobster is a splendid film and a brilliant director's work.
Related posts:
Yorgos Lanthimos: The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) - Lanthimos' psycho-thriller turns out a twisted Greek tragedy
Top 10: Best fantasy movies reviewed by Film Excess to date
2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED IV]
2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
Dogtooth/Κυνόδοντας (Kynodontas) (2009) - Lanthimos establishes himself internationally with an unsettling family portrait
Cost: 4 mil. €, approximately 4.5 mil. $
Box office: 18 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 4 times the cost)
[The Lobster premiered 15 May (Cannes Film Festival, France, in competition) and runs 118 minutes. Financing came together from 21 companies and governmental support bodies. Shooting took place in Ireland, including Dublin, from March - May 2014. The film opened #23 to a 190k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #11 and in 560 theaters (different weeks) and grossed 9.1 mil. $ (50.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 2.3 mil. $ (12.8 %) and France with 0.9 mil. $ (5 %). The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, lost to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, won 3 prizes in Cannes, including the jury prize, 2/6 European Film award nominations and many other honors. Lanthimos returned with The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), again starring Farrell. Farrell returned first in True Detective (2015, TV-series) and theatrically in Solace (2015); Weisz in Youth (2015). The Lobster is certified fresh at 87 % with a 7.6/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of The Lobster?
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