Rating of
3/4
Bleak Originality in Full Force
Unknown - wrote on 06/15/16
'The Lobster' is one of the most original films I've seen at the cinema. Based on the premise alone, this weird tale intrigues. But the weirdness doesn't stop there. The presentation, performances, and tone are far removed from any kind of reality. Yet, the characters and their ambitions for love still come through in a bizarrely relatable way. Only in a surface sense. You can easily see the true meanings behind the facade of lunacy. The business of the hotel represents the societal pressure of conforming to committed relationships. Their rules of romantic engagement and governing viewpoints enforce a strict mentality; that of which being in a committed relationship is far superior to being single, no matter the lack of actual romance. It's a harsh point that is made all the more funny through a lens of satirical dry black comedy. Each character has their own reasoning and route to find a partner. One lives a lie to quickly marry off, one makes frank desperate attempts for others out of unbearable loneliness, another cheats the rules of the hotel to lengthen their stay for sociopathic pleasure, and our main protagonist is simply trying to manage despite his lack of romantic ambition. It's his journey that brings us out of the hotel and into the world of the stragglers that want to live outside the conformities and be free in remaining single. But they too have their own societal regulations, which culminate with their own lonely deaths in graves they've previously dug themselves. Here in this place is were a true love develops for him. Though, things go from a bleak dystopia feel to discomforting sadness in the second half after the glimmer of love becomes apparent. I lost my emotional attachment to the growing relationship quite quickly towards the end after certain events conspire. The ending left a little more desired, thematically, but the questions it ends on still have me thinking. The more I examined the intentions of the film after viewing, the more I've come to appreciate it's unabashed oddness and pointed, funny commentary. I recommend this to anyone who doesn't mind bleak presentation, enjoys black comedy, or likes dissecting film.
