reminds me of the late 50s/early 60s Theatre of the Absurd

Rating: 7/10 (28 September 2018)

The film is convincing in the sense that the director has the actors, particularly Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, give completely believable performances, directly in the face of reality. Everything rolls along with its own logical progression but all is nonsense. This reminds me of the late 50s/early 60s Theatre of the Absurd, spine tinglingly confrontational plays that might have triggered some base connection with long distant animal past but looked crazy. There may even be a nod to Ionesco's 1959 play Rhinoceros in The Lobster. Dogtooth (2009) was difficult to watch because it was so disturbing and understandable, whilst remaining horrific. Here, particularly when we go out into the woods and real connection with reality seems diminished and it becomes too hard to relate to the terrible goings on. Assured direction but ultimately uninvolving.