The Lobster (2015)

In an anti-Utopian society that demands people be coupled in 45 days or else changed into animals, a widower (Colin Farrell) goes to a government run hotel to be paired off but that proves disastrous and he escapes into the woods where the loners live and mating is forbidden. After having done the film festival circuit last year and opening in Europe, THE LOBSTER is only now opening in the U.S. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (whose first English language film this is), this black (and I mean black) comedy with sci-fi trimmings is both sharp and mercifully restrained. It doesn't go for easy laughs. One just has to accept its insane premise for it to work and fortunately the actors are all in sync delivering their lines in an almost robotic manner but with just the right amount of minimalist feeling. But in its way, it's too much of a good thing. The narrative is essentially a one joke act that wears out its welcome and after awhile, I just wanted it to end. I've never been much of a Colin Farrell fan but he's wonderful here, possibly his best performance. With Rachel Weisz, Lea Seydoux, John C. Reilly and Ben Whishaw.