The Lobster (2015) - Film Review
I did it! I finally went to see a film on time and in it's entirety (i.e. not two months later whilst I'm cooking some eggs and feeding the cat...ok I lied... it was pure procrastination).
The Lobster is a weird futuristic fairytale about the downs and downs of being single. Please don't watch this film if you are (desperately) alone, craving a hug every now and again, but instead you focus all your attention in the simple things: stuffing yourself with sushi, pretending you like modern art exhibitions and trying to master that natural selfie with a drink so it looks like you're having a wild night out on the town.
These have nothing to do with personal experience. Simply observations, I say.
Other than judging Colin Farrell's creepy 80s-substitute-teacher-style appearance (anyone remember his TOWIE lookalike), there's a sprinkle of of sharp jokes, starkly anti-feminist gulp moments and an under-current of pure unabashed horror...think stabbing, shooting and blood ... and I'm not talking ketchup style, I'm talking 'kicking a dog till it's dead' style.
But what's the message - as Keith Lemon would say? For me, it was a raw take on emotions. Everything tried to fit into boxes these days, so director Yórgos Lánthimos takes it to the cold core of science and genetics. The film is stylistically brilliant, trust me - I'm a film geek (PROBABLY WHY IM SINGLE WAAA), and there's a large portion of dry as dust humour. The Lobster is like eating a souffle: it looks pretty, it's practically empty inside, but afterwards you will be talking about the cooking technique for ages.
But what's this film got to do with French culture? Léa Seydoux pops up as one of the 'loners' who live in the forest and she's looking pretty tired. Must be that big film she's been in, Michael Bond or something like that...
There's also Ariane Labed who plays a rebellious maid (Lánthimos' other half). You may recognise her from Fidelio, l'odyssée d'Alice...in fact you will because she plays the main character. Duh!
There's also a guy who looks like Kad Merad (Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis) who plays the guitar, but it's not him. Sorry to disappoint.
Oh and it's currently showing at the Ciné Lumière.
But what's a Lobster violin? (jeez stop asking so many questions)
Basically, the lobster waggles one or both of its antennae, causing a flattened projection (the plectrum) on each antenna's spiky base to skid across an oblong lump (the file) located on either side of the animal's head, near the eye. That's my own knowledge, I promise.
So, don't expect a Wes Anderson style bonanza (even though it was marketed like that) but do expect cringe moments and another worldly atmosphere.
I leave you with this picture of a lobster dressed as a dog:
Have you seen the film? Tweet us with your comments.