Absurdly Thrilling

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2016)

Lanthimos delivers a brilliant thought-provoking film that defies traditional parameters of storytelling within its genre. The Lobster provides a high-concept black comedy, depicting an absurdist dystopian society where singlehood is illegal. Those found to be without partner are hunted and sent to a hotel where they are given 45 days to find a partner or be turned into an animal of their choosing. The protagonist, David, played by Colin Farrell decides that he would like to be turned into a lobster. The criteria for partnerdom is based on singular, shallow traits of commonality, such as "short-sightedness" "having a lisp" or "having a limp." Those with partners, do not experience bliss however, they exist isolated in their relationships, without intimacy or true community. To fight this system, there is a renegade group of fiercely independent singles who live in the forest, hunted by society. This group is equally brutal in their obsessive rules about the eradication of love and sex. The film co-stars and is narrated by Rachel Weisz, a member of this renegade rebellion.
Beyond the obvious point of reflection that we might debate, namely, do we only have worth if we are in romantic relationship, have a kid...etc? Lanthimos uses this satirical atmosphere to convey his greater meaning to the viewer, or at least get the viewer to question their own beliefs. He explores notions of intimacy, loneliness, connection and divide through the lens of humor and brutality. The music throughout the film is discordant and foreboding, we are aware that everything we see is vaguely familiar to our own experience, but also alien enough that we see the absurdity in it. The characters themselves are not entirely believable, but nor are they supposed to be in their affectless communication. Even the lighting is dull and muted as if to suggest that life in this world is without vibrancy, it is hollow and dull, just as their existences are.
The film primarily explores humanity's need for intimacy. Asking, what is connection and do we need it? Those living within this society answer that humans need relationship for pragmatic purposes, that connection can be forced based on singular points of commonality. Those choosing to rebel in singledom recognize the pull that humans have towards connection and impose Draconian laws to eliminate the threat of intimacy in their community, more so to make a point that is equally false: we don't need intimacy to live. Both those living in false intimacy and those who dismiss intimacy altogether, experience profound loneliness and something of their humanity is lost in the process. The viewer is forced to decide what is intimacy? We are left to wonder if intimacy is simply an animalistic primal desire for sexual companionship, procreation, or a societal pressure to "couple." Perhaps the film suggests that it goes beyond the practical. We must ask if there is a deeper need within humanity that relentlessly pursues intimacy. The act of sacrificing for the other, or even self-harming to maintain intimacy suggests, perhaps, that we are not merely the sum of our biological impulses or animalistic drives. Perhaps, part of what a human is, is this spiritual need for meaningful connection with one another in a way that is in its own way, transcendent.