Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (*** out of ****)

What would you do knowing the world was ending in a few days. Where would go? Who'd you visit? What in a limited out of time left would you do? I have maybe three ideas since seeing this film, two with a similar theme inspired by this film. I'd like to find somebody who made the countdown to the end of the world not only easier but maybe even lovely. Simply finding someone to make me enjoy the time I have left. It could be an odd partnership for all I know but who the person is doesn't really matter in the end. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is intimate, meaningful, moving, a bit funny but mostly sincere.

An asteroid of enormous size is heading toward earth and will cause massive destruction. All life on the planet will end it seems. People begin to quite possibly show their true selves. They panic and behave in ways that only this stress brings out. They riot, have mass orgies, do a lot of drugs, or behave normally because they don't know what else to do. Every character in the film has their own way of approaching the end and each one has a bit of intrigue. Dodge (Steve Carell) moves melancholy between friends and work, he has regrets of letting his childhood sweetheart get away. Down his apartment hall lives Penny (Keira Knightly) who misses her chance to return home to England when the airlines shut down. Through a mailing mistake, Penny unknowingly receives a letter from Dodge's high school girlfriend and she gives it to him now with two weeks left to live. Penny feeling awful about the mistake looks to right the wrong and help Dodge drive to the return address on the envelope. In exchange Dodge knows a man nearby the address with a plane that could help Penny get home. So begins an unlikely and unusual road trip filled wild and fantastic characters.

Carell and Knightly are and odd partnership. Their talent makes chemistry in the most unlikely places. However their strange pairing just seems to fit the film's message. The person you want with you at the end might not be the person you'd think of right now. This on pen and paper is a romantic comedy but it has something different to offer. It's a rom-com for people who don't like rom-com. Instead of cute romantic gestures and a happy ending you have people trying to make final connection and an ending where everyone on the planet dies. Much like Canada's Last Night, the film focus on quieter and sweeter story about two kindred spirits forming one final connection in the face of destruction. This movie may not appeal for everyone, it's not hysterical instead focusing on a clever and plot fitting jokes. I'm sure Knightly and Carell won't convince some but to others they will be the odd couple we've been waiting for. Also Penny is sort of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl but apocalyptic style. However due to this sort of plot it never feels like life will be better for Dodge. In some ways Penny is just as confused as Dodge is. Even with it's flaws Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a darkly refreshing rom com with a stellar cast. Enjoy this film and life while it lasts.

*** out of ****