THE LOBSTER
SPECIAL PRESENTATION Yorgos Lanthimos. Ireland/UK/Greece/France/Netherlands. 119 min. Sep 11, 3 pm Princess of Wales Sep 12, 4:45 pm Bloor Hot Docs. See listings. Rating: NNNN Win a pair of tickets to see the advance screening here!
Acclaimed Greek auteur Lanthimos’s English language debut is a smart, funny and disturbing allegory about the absurdity of rigid societal norms.
In a near future world, unpartnered people are given 45 days to find a mate – or they’re turned into the animal of their choice. As time runs out, singles subtly, then not-so-subtly compete for partners, their animal instincts kicking in.
Meanwhile, a band of rebels headed by the coolly observant Léa Seydoux offers an alternative that’s just as repressive.
Wildly imaginative and gorgeous to look at, Lanthimos’s film maintains his trademark deadpan tone, and his actors, among them Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, John C. Reilly and Ben Whishaw, find ways to inhabit their characters without winking at the audience.
Special mention goes to the chamber music soundtrack that’s like a character all its own.
