Big Screen Blurb: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

What would you do? The world is ending. There are no norms and few rules. You've got a few weeks left and time to kill before time kills you. What is the first thing that you need to be doing? Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Just ask Dodge.

After all, life can get a bit rough without social norms or basic rules. When
the TV news traffic girl delivers a report like, "Traffic? Looks like we're F%#$-ed, Bob...back to you.", you know you're in for a bumpy ride. Dodge (Steve Carell) tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy. It's not easy considering that his wife just sprinted away upon hearing the news of a meteor's impending collision with our fare planet. However, Dodge has continued going to work, where he serves as an insurance agent. Considering that most of his fellow employees have fled, work is pretty quiet. Of course, Dodge is not overly career-minded of late. He, along with a handful remaining employees pass up a potential promotion at a recent staff meeting..."Anyone want to be CFO? Anyone? No? Big pay raise. No???" At any rate, with his career not a high priority, Dodge explores life's meaning. Unfortunately, he's coming up a bit empty. Not that he's completely alone mind you. He's got a dog that someone tied to him and there's also his ever-so-flighty neighbor, Penny (Keira Knightley). Together they begin a quest. Dodge is off to find his long lost love from high school and Penny wants to make her way home to spend the remaining time with her family. Yadayadayada...both Dodge and Penny explore life's meaning through the only thing that really seems to matter in this life. When all of the fluff is removed, life is really about relationships.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.5 Stars on this one. The first thing you have to realize is this: think Steve Carell as in Dan in Real Life or Little Miss Sunshine and not Steve Carell as in 40-year old Virgin or The Office. Don't get me wrong; there is some very funny stuff here. However, this is a little darker of a character and certainly a darker situation than a 40-year old trying to pop the ole cherry or an office manager leading a band of characters through his own insecurities. This is the end of time.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World also poses a few thought-provoking ideas. First, what is truly important in this thing called life? Is it work? Ultimately, no. Is it relationships? Well, yes and no. Dodge's wife bailed on him the moment she heard the news of the earth's impending doom. It's really about meaningful relationships and spending those precious few last hours and days with people that we've truly connected with over the years.

Second, how would you respond?  We see plenty of different reactions. You've got your "Party hard until it's over" group. You've got the "There are no rules, now; so, do anything or anyone you want or can!" You've got your introspective lethargic group. Then, there's the dangerous and violent crowd. Just to name a few. Where would you fit in? Once you wade through the expected responses...yeah, Pat Robertson would blame the gay people and others would find a way to blame Obama...but, once those expected responses filter through, how would you react? 


With that in mind, there is a lot of good stuff here. It's a good story that plays nicely and is well-acted. Don't expect a laugh-a-minute ride and you'll be fine. Do expect to laugh a little...think a little and enjoy a hundred minutes of Steve Carell stepping a bit outside of his comedic box. The guy has some range, afterall, right???


At any rate, see this one--at least rent it, if your BIG screen card is full with adventures and comedies that slap you in the face this summer. 


True...OUT!


P.S. It's true. I'm way behind. Expect to see some reviews soon for Spiderman, People Like Us, Ted, and Savages.