Review of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) by David D — 04 Jan 2013

There is something intrinsically likable about Steve Carell. Even during his most cringe-worthy moments as Michael Scott on the Office, it's almost impossible to dislike the Daily Show alum or the character he is playing.

That same attribute is what makes watching how his character, Dodge, spends his last weeks on the doomed planet Earth so compelling. We want this guy - whose first moments on film entail being left by his wife (and by left, I mean a full on sprint) after they learn of the apocalypse - to find some smidgen of joy before the world (and film) ends.

Joining him on his quest to find happiness is Penny, played by Keira Knightley - who is great in the film. The film is marketed as a comedy, which it most certainly is - especially during the first half, when it explores all the wacky shit people might do knowing there is no time left to live.

But there is something much darker about this movie than most of its kind, which one could probably assume just from reading the title or hearing the premise. At times it borders on tragic - yet always in a way that will still make you smile.

Thus, at its core, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a movie about two people trying to find that which matters most... someone you want to spend your final moments with.