The Lobster - Greek Crustacean comedy

Rating: Null/10 (8 June 2016)

THE LOBSTER is almost the very definition of a one-joke movie. Surprisingly, it has become one of the biggest art-house hits of the season. The premise is simple: In some unspecified future, you either couple up with a mate - or, you get turned into the animal of your choice. Singles are shunned - or, worse. Our hero, Dave (Colin Farrell), chooses a Lobster, and, hence, the title.
And, for quite a while, the movie manages to use droll humor to amuse. It's never quite as clever as it thinks it is, nor does it ever truly hit its targets. Half-way through there is a turn in the story and a new chapter begins. Unfortunately, the dry humor looses steam and an attempt to humanize the tale never quite works, save for an entertaining clandestine mission by Dave and his cohorts (led by Lea Seydoux). But, it's too little, too late in an overlong movie that stretches it's thin joke too much.
Genre fans will recognize bits of Orwell's 1984 as well as more modern examples of alternate history such as the sublime NEVER LET ME GO, MELANCHOLIA, ANOTHER EARTH etc.. I was also a bit reminded of Luis Bunuel's sense of absurdist comedy, but Director Yorgos Lanthimos doesn't have the touch or visual acumen of the best of the master's work.
What is surprising is that THE LOBSTER has become an art-house hit despite its offbeat storyline and sensibility. Lanthimos made his name a few years back with DOGTOOTH, but it was mostly noticed by high-minded critics. His follow-up, THE ALPS, was ignored even by those groups. I guess it's the vaguely sci-fi angle and solid reviews that have buoyed THE LOBSTER. That and the fact that it's in English (of course) and stars recognizable faces (if not stars) in Farrell, Rachel Weisz and John C. Reilly.
THE LOBSTER isn't a misfire, but, it never transcends it's one-note gimmick either.