review by David Hall
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World 2012
Watched Jun 11, 2012
David Hall’s review:
An interesting but desperately uneven film with a somnambulistic Carrell and an ever so slightly-forced Knightley as a mismatched couple on a road trip that has an apocalyptic destination. This borrows ideas and themes from various sources, including ETERNAL SUNSHINE, but - incredibly - the biggest influence is from a much-loved and devastating 1988 SF cult classic.
The first half has some dark, tender and funny moments, but the latter stages are more MIRACLE BILE.
What's the SF classic you speak of?
Also, I got total Melancholia vibes from this movie, especially in the dramatic parts.
I guess Miracle Mile is more cult than classic, and maybe not hard SF, but the influence is undeniable, even stronger than Melancholia for me.
There were things to like in the film, and some funny, pointed moments early on (plus some great cameos), but the pairing never gelled for me (I like Knightley too and think she's a far better actress than given credit for) , and I felt it tailed off in the last third.
MIRACLE MILE is a great comparison; I noticed that tonal shift, too, and immediately flashed back to that movie's final act. Also, everyone says this movie is also a rip-off of another flick called LAST NIGHT from 1988-ish.
Thanks Ron. And you are the second person to mention LAST NIGHT in relation to the film. You inspired me to look it up, quite a support cast of Canadian movie royalty! Good?
You already know my love of Miracle Mile, David... but Last Night is another of my favourites too, I urge you to seek it out if you haven't seen it before.