Movie: The Lobster
Where to watch it: Netflix
Spoilers: Yes
In this strange world loners are not permitted. Those who are unable to find partners are turned into the animal of their choice. When David’s wife leaves him, he checks into a singles hotel with his brother (a dog) and given 45 days to select a new partner before being transformed into a lobster. David decides that pretending to have no feelings is easier than faking love. He establishes a relationship with a psychotic woman with no emotions. She discovers his lie after kicking his brother (the dog) to death. She threatens to expose his deceit to the hotel manager. David is afraid for his life and enraged that she murdered his brother. With the assistance of a hotel maid, he transforms his former girlfriend into an unknown animal and runs away from the hotel. He finds safe haven with a group of loners that take him in. However, they live by an equally strict code of conduct. Conversation is allowed but any form of romantic relationship has severe consequences. This is initially no problem for David until he falls for a nearsighted woman – a trait they share. When the leader of the loners discovers that they are planning on leaving the group, she takes the nearsighted woman to the city for a surprise surgery to correct her vision. Instead the surgery is used to intentionally blind her. With their shared commonality gone, David and his love think their relationship is over. They try to find other similarities but fail. Finally, they decide that their love is strong enough to overcome her blindness. They knock out their leader and tie her up. Together, David and his love runaway for the city. They make it to a dinner and begin to make a plan for their future. But first there is one problem…. David’s sight. He takes a knife to the restroom. After all, they need to have some shared trait and blindness it will be.
Rating: C-
Is it worth watching: No. I wanted to try out a different, offbeat movie. I thought it had an interesting plot with an excellent cast. It stars Colin Farrell, Rachel Weiz, Jessic Barden, Olivia Colman, and John C. Riley. I understand that the policies and ideas of the society portrayed are suppose to be exaggerated relationship tropes such as if you are struggling to make it work, just have a kid. The two sides of this society are sharp and abrasive with extreme, abusive laws. There is no middle ground. No chance to find your way or to be an individual. It is definitely dystopian. However this movie is super slow and way toooooo long and after two tedious hours, it abruptly ends
