"Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" stars Steve Carell as "Dodge," who the film follows during the final 3 weeks before an asteroid will collide with earth. Dodge is dealing with the sudden departure of his wife while all around him people are going crazy with drugs, sex, and in some cases suicide. A chance encounter with neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) leads to Dodge finding out that his wife was cheating on him and that his long-lost high school love Olivia felt he was the love of her life. A riot breaks out and Dodge ends up fleeing town with Penny. Penny agrees to drive Dodge to see Olivia if he takes her to a pilot he thinks will fly Penny to be with her family in England. An interesting rode trip ensues that is complicated by the pending doom of the asteroid but also the unlikely pairing of Dodge and Penny.
This film got really mixed reviews and I think it's because fans of Carell's more typical fare will be disappointed that this film is more dark. There danger the characters are facing, the end of the world, is real and creates tension as if there's this huge clock counting down the minutes left that the characters have till it's over. There's only so long to make things right and be with those who matter but perhaps a new friend can make those final moments worthwhile. At first I liked this movie but thought that Carell and Knightley just didn't make sense as a couple - maybe as friends but not as a couple. Perhaps the end of the world makes the impossible seem much more likely in terms of couples? I did like the casting in this film other than Carell/Knightley as a romantic pair. Connie Britton shines in a small supporting role.
The bottom line is that this is a great fatalistic romance/drama about people coming together in light of impending doom. It's not typical Carell-fare and probably should be avoided by many of his fans. Solid B for me and great flick for those days when you're worried about Mayan calendars.
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