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The Lobster: The future of Tinder?
Other | Tuesday 10th November 2015 |
In a world where dating is dominated by apps, "The Lobster" presents an idea to what the future could like for us. Not only does Colin Farrell show a weird and slightly socially-awkward man, he also sports a fairly impressive moustache - perfectly timed for Movember.
In the world of The Lobster, you don't swipe right but instead have set time to find a partner before you're turned into an animal. Yorgos Lanthimos' film is a quirky and slightly depressing view on society's negative view of singletons. You come out of the film thinking that it's about time you found a partner, rather than be turned into a cat for the rest of your life.
We start the film with Colin Farrell's character (David) being told that his wife is leaving him. Now that might bad news normally but in this world, being single is not accepted. David is then sent to a hotel where he must find a partner within 48 hours or be turned into an animal - his choice a Lobster, mine....an Orangutan.
As evidence of this incoming threat, David is followed by his brother, a dog! Met by the fairly cold hotel manager (Olivia Coleman), David is told of the importance of having partners but also that his stay is only for a limited amount of time. You can increase your time, however by hunting other people.
After seeing others patner-up and be sent away, David quickly partners a sadistic and crazy woman, a woman who eventually kills his brother the dog. After he realises he has made a mistake, David quickly cancels the arranged partnership and takes her to the animal chamber.
Relationship Question; What animal would you be?
The second part of the film is David's escape to the ideological loners and new life. A group whereby contact with others is forbidden, David soon becomes attached to Rachel Weisz- a woman whom, like David, has short sight.
Through clandestine arrangments, the two form a stong relationship within the group. Dancing on their own all the while digging their literal graves. After a few trips to the city the two decide to escape and set up their own life. To me, though, raving to trance music in a forest with the odd camel walking about sounds like a pretty good life or should I say, a usual night out.
The leader of the loners (Lea Seydoux), however (SPOILER ALERT!) finds out about this and subsequently blinds Rachel Weisz. To cut a long story short, the two escape to the city and we are left unsure as to whether David will blind himself or leave her in the city.
This film is not going to get your pulse racing, however it does present an interesting insight into the world of social compatability. Overall, The Lobster seems like a two films made into one. It is very weird, strange and unlike anything you'll have had ever seen.
It is very satricial and dark humoured-film. Colin Farrell, goes away from his usual roles and presents a very awkwardly funny character. The film is interesting but maybe for the more artsy crowd. The story line is engaging and the awkward and socially-inept interactions are pretty funny. So, all single people out there, stick to Tinder. Swipe right as many times as you can, otherwise you might just find yourself being some family's household pet.
Bill McLoughlin
