Unfortunately an interesting premise gets flattened by some strange casting and lack of character development. The end of the world is nigh (we've seen pre apocalypse thrillers before notably the incredible Miracle Mile) but none probably marketed as a romantic comedy. Which it isn't.

Those going for some comedic relief will find little, and those searching for something a bit more meaningful will feel cheated. Steve Carrell is trying to find his old college sweetheart and Keira Knightley just wants to get home to her parents.

Steve Carrell has something of an image problem, his character in Anchorman has never been repeated and has been in too many boring, lame comedies since. There's nothing wrong with his performance here, in fact he's likable, and his character is pretty understated.

The problem lies with his relationship with Keira Knightley who is quite flabbergastingly irritating here, there's no chemistry here and it makes the way they veer from their original objectives seem a bit ridiculous and the ending feels simply tacked on.

The running time is too short, characters are introduced and then tossed away, so you never feel any empathy with what is happening, it feels like they pulled a chunk of the film out prior to release. There is however, a very nice cameo from Martin Sheen as Carrell's estranged father.

An opportunity wasted.