The film follows a unique, elegant, and dryly comic premise. An asteroid named “Matilda” is headed for the Earth; our planet will be destroyed; humanity wiped out. If you hadn’t guessed where the movie’s going by the title, you’d know after the opening scene. While one might think this setup would lead to predictable storytelling, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World never ceases to surprise. From moments of whacky escapades that provoke raucous laughter to somber sequences that elicit the watering of the eyes, the story of Dodge’s last ‘adventure’ is a fresh look at the human condition. We all know we die in the end — but Seeking A Friend reminds us that just isn’t the point. This film by Focus Features is a philosophical, character-driven comedy that manages to avoid preachiness or pretention. It’s a very real, very raw film full of very real, very raw laughs.
While the leads of the film are as delightful as you could hope for (Steve Carell and Keira Knightley are a perfectly incongruous dream team), some of the greatest comedic moments come from Seeking A Friend‘s more minor characters. T.J. Miller and Gillian Jacobs play drugged-out waiters who manage to be as gosh darn loveable as they are bat-crap crazy. Patton Oswalt and Rob Corddry do not disappoint as Dodge’s buddies who are hell bent on making their last days count — in the spirit of what the kids are calling “YOLO” (you only live once) these days. A stellar cameo from Adam Brody provokes nothing but laughter while Mark Moses’ portrayal of a TV newsman is akin to a Shakespearean chorus, well-timed and thought-provoking. Long story short, the film is beautifully cast.
The film also deserves props for the inclusion of Sorry, a scrappy, abandoned dog who is forced upon Dodge in the darkest of hours. The pooch sticks with his new master, joining Dodge and Penny on their journey into the abyss. What’s notable is that Sorry is much more than just a fuzzy prop; he’s a four-legged representation of the film’s core theme — a walking, barking, tail-wagging symbol of regret and redemption.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a comedy with true heart. Scafaria’s script carefully mixes the zany with the sublime, the sad with the whacky, and joyfully reminds us that the sadness of death and the happiness of life are intertwined in the human spirit. Seeking a Friend proves that comedy can — and should — tell the most important of stories.
So, if you see just one movie before the apocalypse, whenever that might be, make sure it’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.
Seeking a Friend is in theaters everywhere this Friday, June 22. Check your local theater listings!
