The Lobster

This bizarre film, set in the near future in an alternate universe, serves up an existential allegory about the determination within every culture to pair people off. Whether heterosexual or homosexual, conforming means being part of a duo. So when his wife leaves him for another man, David (Colin Farrell) has only 45 days to find another partner or he will face “transformation” into the animal of his choice. Most people want to be a dog, which is why there are so many. But in the event of failure David has chosen to be re-embodied as a lobster. To facilitate finding a prospective mate, David checks into a spa-like hotel, where the manager (Olivia Colman) sternly explains the regimented schedule to newcomers—including one who lisps (John C. Reilly), another who limps (Ben Whishaw), one prone to nosebleeds (Jessica Barden), and one who is heartless (Angeliki Papoulia). Not surprisingly, the guests grow increasingly desperate under pressure to find a compatible companion. When a match is made, a party ensues with a honeymoon of sorts. And if couples subsequently disagree, children are pressed upon them. With his crustacean reincarnation looming, David flees into the forest, joining a resistance group whose militant leader (Léa Seydoux) enforces her own set of Kafkaesque rules, forbidding any relationships. Then David meets his real soulmate (Rachel Weisz)—but is it too late? Greek writer-director Yorgos Lanthimos's first English-language film is a strange, surreal, audacious, and absurdist work of satire. Recommended. (S. Granger)