The Lobster **** (2015, Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman, Ben Whishaw, Léa Seydoux, John C Reilly, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden) – Movie Review

Co-writer/director Yorgos Lanthimos satirises modern romance in an impeccably crafted old-style art movie, recalling some Seventies art house classics, that is catnip for film festivals. With the art movie and the art house apparently things of the long-ago past, The Lobster is a very good thing to have around in 2015.

In the event, it won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival 2015, having failed to take the Grand Prix. More oddly, the co-starring Bob the Dog won the Palm Dog – Jury Prize, (though he’s actually played by two dogs, Jaro and Ryan). And, stranger still, the film won the Queer Palm – Special Mention. They said: ‘It doesn’t include a gay narrative, but with the dearth of overtly gay films at the festival, this film stood out as an allegory, poking fun at the absurd societal rules and regulations around mating.’

It continues a run of ambitious, successful performances by Colin Farrell, playing the hero David, a now single person living in a dystopian near future, who is taken by law to The Hotel, where he and his fellows must find a romantic partner in 45 days or be transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.

The Hotel is an extremely smart lakeside resort run by the Hotel Manager (Olivia Colman) and the Doctor (Roger Ashton-Griffiths). So they can all suffer in comfort, well, at least they could if the Hotel rules weren’t so appalling.

There is perhaps inevitably a sense of strain about this absurdist allegory, but Lanthimos holds the attention throughout a longish, near-two-hour running time. The ending makes entire sense without it actually being entirely satisfying, which is a problem. Whereas the movie as a whole is satisfying without it actually making entire sense, which is another problem.

Other than the brave and bold concept, and some very considerable laughs and shocks along the way, the best things about the movie are the smart way it looks (cinematography by Thimios Bakatakis) and the even smarter performances. It’s all Farrell’s show, and he holds it together compellingly. But support turns from Colman, Ashton-Griffiths, Ben Whishaw (Limping Man), Léa Seydoux (Loner Leader), John C. Reilly (Lisping Man), Rachel Weisz (Short Sighted Woman) and Jessica Barden (Nosebleed Woman) are, like the movie itself, extremely eye-catching and impressive.

Recalling Seventies art movies as it does, it still manages to be something very special – unique. Though, as with all unique films, there can’t be another one. Striking though this one is, we don’t want a The Lobster 2, thanks you very much!

As you’ll be wondering, you’ll need to know it was shot in County Kerry, Ireland, at the Parknasilla Hotel and Resort, Sneem, and the Dromore Woods, Coillte Teoranta.

Whishaw says: ‘It invites you in to make of it what you will. It’s very funny. And also it’s weirdly poetic. The surrealism of it is so beautiful.’

© Derek Winnert 2015 Movie Review

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com