Review of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) by Samuel J — 27 Mar 2013

You're not alone if Seeking a Friend for the End of the World appeared to you to be a more epic apocalyptic ending to the world then what ended up being shown on screen. The film actually turns out to be more of a character study of insurance salesman Dodge (Carell) and his neighbour Penny (Knightley) under time constraints, travelling across the United States to reach the former's hometown in Delaware so he can spend his last days alive with his childhood sweetheart Olivia following the sudden falling apart of his marriage.

Operating on a low budget, director Lorene Scafaria throws a bunch of clashing elements into the mix that is the film and not all work. One minute the film is light-hearted, the next it's dramatic with pangs of love in the midst of the world ending, the next it's violent and sexy (as bit characters get it on in a moment of spontaneity before their impending demise).

The film tries to take a naturalistic, low-budget look at the emotions of characters leading up to the end of the world, but it turns out to be a little too convenient and leaves one dissatisfied with its muddled script.