Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

Is it just me, or has the world been ending a lot lately? This is a subject that movies, whether they be ponderous independent ones or big-budget action thrillers, turn to quite often, presumably because we all just love to sit and think about our eventual demise for two hours. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is the latest and one of the strangest such films. Advertised as a quirky romantic comedy, it stars Steve Carell as a former insurance salesman and Kiera Knightley as a particularly bubbly girl. They both live in the same apartment building, but are only just getting to know one another now that they are being faced with a seventy mile wide asteroid that is going to collide with the planet in a matter of weeks. They set out on an upbeat road trip to find his high school sweetheart, but wind up falling for each other instead. We are expected during all this to forget that the bleeding world is ending.

I couldn't connect with this movie. I certainly tried, as this is a movie that should have been impressive. Steve Carell is a likeable enough actor when he controls himself, but I can't help feeling that what he does here isn't exactly acting. It's just nothing. Keira Knightley is also likeable, and I earlier called her character bubbly, which may not be the best word. Perky, maybe? I don't know, but definitely not funny. That's the whole trouble, the fact that I did not even smile one time through this entire "comedy." This is mostly because the movie is not actually trying to be funny for more than half of the screentime. As the film comes close to its obvious conclusion, the tone shifts dramatically. All the light-hearted nonsense of the first half is thrown out in favor of weepy dramatics. Director and writer Lorene Scafaria appeared to write herself into a predicament. While trying to create something equal parts amusing, touching, and thought-provoking, all the elements collide into a big, empty mess. I wonder if a lot of the same movie could have worked if there wasn't such a gloom hanging over the whole thing. For me anyway, the constant reminders that these likeable characters will soon perish didn't help me enjoy their journey.

The biggest problem I have with this movie is the nature of the advertising. If you're releasing a movie that has light moments, but certainly leans towards the heavy side, don't try to sell it as just another R-rated comedy. At the showing I saw, the theater was not exactly empty, but it was very quiet regardless. Anyone expecting laughs or even chuckles should stay away. If you're the over-sentimental type that brings a box of tissues and enjoys making a big fuss about being teary-eyed, go for it. Most viewers, however, will just be left wondering what in the world they just witnessed and how it can be avoided while they still have life to live.

6/10