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The Lobster

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The Lobster

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Summary

In a dystopian near-future, the law dictates that single people are taken to a hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in 45 days or be transformed into animals and sent off to live in the woods. Sci-fi comedy drama, starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman and Ben Whishaw

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Calum Baker

The English-language debut of Greek auteur Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite, Poor Things) is a chilly, incisive mash-up of sci-fi, satire and screwball comedy. In a near-future where singledom is outlawed, recently dumped David (Colin Farrell) arrives at a hotel where he must find a romantic partner within 45 days or be painfully transformed into an animal of his choosing. Later, he escapes and joins a band of forest-dwelling dissidents who have gone the other way and made all affection punishable by mutilation - which becomes a problem when David falls for one of their number (Rachel Weisz). Lanthimos and regular co-writer Efthimis Filippou pack their Oscar-nominated screenplay with surreal wit and shocking moments of violence, beautifully delivered by a star-studded cast that includes Ben Whishaw, Léa Seydoux and Olivia Colman. The film's excessively stilted tone may prove trying for some viewers, but as it moves into its darker and more challenging second half Lanthimos skilfully teases out some remarkably affecting moments. Whatever specific satirical targets the film-makers have in mind are perhaps a bit oblique, but as a tragicomic study in the mechanics of love, it's an undeniably thoughtful and often potent piece of work.

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5.4/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameDavidColin Farrell (2)Short-sighted womanRachel WeiszNosebleed womanJessica BardenHotel managerOlivia ColmanBiscuit womanAshley JensenHeartless womanAngeliki PapouliaLisping manJohn C ReillyLoner leaderLéa SeydouxLoner swimmerMichael SmileyLimping manBen Whishaw

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Crew

rolenameDirectorYorgos Lanthimos

Details

Theatrical distributor

Picturehouse Entertainment

Released on

2015-10-16

Languages

English | Greek | French

Guidance

Swearing, sex scenes.

Formats

Colour

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