The Lobster: A Wonderfully Weird Film That Needs to be Watched

The Lobster is a weird film that defies expectations and features some of the biggest laughs of 2016. It has been described as an “absurdist dystopian comedy-drama” and I actually agree with that summation. I love The Lobster and consider it to be in the top five of the year (so far) alongside Everybody Wants Some!!!, Green Room, Love & Friendship and Hail, Caesar!. I guarantee you won’t find a funnier or more original film released this year.

The Yorgos Lanthimos (Dogtooth – another weird film) directed film tells the story of single people having 45-days to find a partner or they get turned into an animal of their choice. The singles are taken to a beautiful Irish resort where they are forced to mingle and cohabitate with other desperate and unique people. The rules are strict and the only way they can stay at the resort longer is if they successfully hunt and tranquilize “loners” who live in the forests. A problem arises when our “hero” David (Colin Farrell) falls for a short sighted loner (Rachel Weisz). The two have a tough go of it as they are hunted by the singles and horribly punished by the Loner Leader (Lea Seydoux) if they exhibit signs of passion.

Don’t mess with Seydoux.

Words can’t describe how weird The Lobster is and I love that fact. I had never watched a trailer and the pure cinematic experience was glorious. Director Lanthimos expertly blends humor, drama, absurdity, violence and insanity. The movie walks a tight-rope of eclecticism that feels like a miracle of script, direction and acting. You will see things in The Lobster that will absolutely shock your soul and make you laugh. There are moments of cruelty and ultra-violence that are legitimately funny. I wouldn’t recommend this movie to everyone because it won’t appeal to everyone. The Lobster is for cinephiles who embrace new wave cinema that doesn’t trifle with familiar narration.

I really hope that come awards time Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz and remembered for their beautiful work. The two actors embrace the weird and transform themselves into memorable characters who exhibit a whole lot of layers. Their chemistry is off the charts and I loved all of their acting choices. Weisz’s droll narration is fantastic and Farrell turns in his best performance since In Bruges.

If you are looking for a weird, brutal and hilarious film you need to watch The Lobster. You won’t be disappointed.