32 talking about this. While on the road, they encounter all kinds of different people, each choosing to spend the world's final days in his or her own way. In Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, that imperative takes on a particular urgency. See something that needs to be addressed? Verified Purchase. What's worst is that it ends exactly like you'd expect it to and there is no punchline, no surprise. Copyright © Fandango. The promise, characters, and payoff that this film sets up in the first two acts really had me invested, until it didn't. Jeff Bridges as appealing alien; best for teens. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) Parents Guide Add to guide . Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. How Technology Is Reshaping Democracy and Our Lives, National Reading Month: Get free read-alouds, stories, poems, and more on Wide Open School, Online Playdates, Game Nights, and Other Ways to Socialize at a Distance, Keeping Kids Motivated for Online Learning, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Completely unexpected existential dramedy blew me away, 5 Tips to Make Family Movie Night a Success. Unlike many other romantic comedies/dramedies of recent years, it's actually funny and actually romantic -- heartbreakingly so, since there's no "happily ever after" in store. Does it seem believable/realistic? Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is the story of Dodge (Steve Carrell), a man This is not a happy story, this film will in no way end happily. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World sought but never found a cineplex audience. Additional kissing. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. and the Terms and Policies, Seeking a Friend definitely jumps around a bit tonally but it’s not hard to let that go because the dialogue and story as a … 5.0 out of 5 stars Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. As characters try to figure out how to cope and identify what matters most to them, there's a fair bit of uninhibited behavior, from excessive drinking to drug use (cocaine, heroin, weed) to casual sex and desperate hook-ups. Last-minute life lessons in poignant romantic dramedy. Some cigarette smoking as well. |, March 6, 2020 Dodge has mostly drifted through life without taking chances or doing what he really wanted. June 21, 2012 6:40PM ET Seeking a Friend for the End of the World By. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a film that just about works. R | 1h 41min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama | 22 June 2012 (USA) 2:32 | Trailer. Don't have an account? Go to work?). Forgot your password? Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. That's disappointing after a really good first half with the who is who of US comedy. I won't steal anything if you don't rape me. Even so, I would personally advise that you add it to your queue of movies to see before the asteroid hits. A failed attempt to mix genres, made worse by a lot of misplaced schmaltz. The film stars Steve Carell and Keira Knightley. Verified Purchase. Parents need to know that Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a low-key romantic dramedy set during the last few weeks on Earth before an asteroid hits. Are the characters role models? At least in its vulnerability. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. What do you think you might do in that situation? Coming Soon. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. From the trailer, one might be expecting a comedy, but be warned it is not a comedy. It is a combination of various artists. romance, Regal The announcement that an enormous asteroid will obliterate Earth in less than a month brings an end to the marriage of mild-mannered insurance salesman Dodge (Steve Carell), whose wife leaves him on the spot. R | 1h 41min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama | 22 June 2012 (USA) 2:32 | Trailer. Steve Carell and Keira Knightley lead an all-star cast in this clever and heartwarming comedy that explores the crazy things people do when humanity's last days are at hand. Cinemark Get full reviews, ratings, and advice delivered weekly to your inbox. Set in a too-near future, two neighbors, Dodge (Steve Carell) and Penny (Keira Knightley), react in their own unique ways to the announcement that a 70-mile-wide asteroid is en route to the Earth. The love plot between the two was very off-putting and really knocks a star off of this rating. SEX/NUDITY 4 - A man and his date leave a restaurant, she kisses him and she says, "I want you to be my last" as the scene ends; the next day, he apologizes for having had sex with her and she says they had end-of-the-world sex and it won't happen again. What to Watch, Read, and Play While Your Kids Are Stuck Indoors, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Check out new Common Sense Selections for games, Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews, Tools to Help Kids Stay Focused During Distance Learning. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Steve Carrell and Kiera Knightley are great throughout the movie and really have engaging characters. Actividades sobre el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana, Which Side of History? Rated: Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer. A jagged contraption of a narrative that never finds a comfortable or credible rhythm. Lorene Scafaria, the screenwriter behind Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, makes a charming directorial debut with Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. 36 talking about this. Searching for streaming and purchasing options ... Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Scafaria's simple premise has conjured up a world in which even the most mundane behavior somehow becomes infinitely important, or perhaps even funny. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is rated R by the MPAA for language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence. A larger obstacle awaits than the mutual antipathy that usually keeps the hero and heroine apart: namely, the eponymously predicted End of Days. The star rating reflects overall quality. Strong language includes "f--k" and "s--t"; violence includes two suicides (one direct and one via hired assassin) and rioting. Although the movie presents a pretty bleak situation, the end of the world forces characters to find a certain purity and clarity in their lives. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity's last days are at hand. Coming Soon, Regal |, December 2, 2020 From the trailer, one might be expecting a comedy, but be warned it is not a comedy. Likewise, Scafaria's choice of music is sublime -- Penny carries an armful of treasured LP records with her, even without a turntable to play them -- ranging from the Beach Boys to Scott Wilson. After that set-up, the audience follows around Dodge (played by Steve Carell), a troubled middle-aged man who just got a divorce, weeks before the end of the world. A deeper association with the lead duo is elusive, what with the pervasive reminiscing, brooding, and irrational behaviors that are never delirious enough to be funny. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. | Rating: 2/5 He decides to take a … The film received mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the cast, particularly Knightley and Carell. Running into a much younger woman than him, they form a friendship and she helps him through his emotions and tries to get him where he wants to be for the end. Despite all this -- and the general sense of bleakness/despair underlining everything -- Seeking a Friend is actually very sweet and romantic. (If you had one week left to live, would you mow your lawn? By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy Dodge and Penny embark on a road trip that eventually brightens their outlook, if not the world's. Sci-fi/romance hybrid mixes plot twists, serious themes. 37 talking about this. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a very random movie. A man and a woman kiss for a prolonged time in a park and a passerby shouts at them. At least in its vulnerability. Between "Foxcatcher," "The Office," and now "Seeking," my respect for Steve Carell's range is huge. Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018. How does their looming fate impact characters' behavior? Lorene Scafaria’s oddly winning romantic comedy Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World is often banal and reductive, and tonally schizophrenic in gauging the last three weeks before an asteroid plows into Earth. "Seeking a Friend of the End of the World" is an end of the world drama that really makes you think about what you would do if you had only a few weeks to live. The third act of this film really felt like a quick wrap up. With increasing length of the following road trip bringing two characters together, things move more and more in somewhat normal rom com terrain, despite of the unusual premise. Adults drink heavily and do drugs (cocaine, heroin) at a debauched "end of the world" party. Peter Travers Peter Travers Film Critic. Our ratings are based on child development best practices. The end of the world can't come fast enough in Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, a disastrously dull take on the disaster-movie formula. With uneven laughs, sensitivity and bittersweetness in one tidy package, Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World is a credible directorial debut for Scafaria but it only becomes watchable after the first 45 mins. Screenwriter Lorene Scafaria (Nick and Norah's Infinte Playlist) makes her directorial debut with SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, and it's a stunner. That said, the movie's focus is much less on that reaction to the end of the world and much more on finding clarity and peace. A lot of Seeking a Friend for the End of the World reminded me of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. | Rating: 3/5 Cinemark Your privacy is important to us. | Rating: 3/5 39 talking about this. He decides to take a … drama, 30 Incredible 2010s Directing Debuts That Left Us Begging For More, July 15, 2012 A lost letter ties their fate together, and they hit the road, Dodge intent on finding his first love and Penny hoping to locate a private plane to get back to her parents in England. With knowledge of the impending end of the world spreading it's pretty quirky and full of black humor to see how people deal with it, despair or celebrate the last days. The main thing the film has going for it is the performances of the actors, which manage to make it much more engaging than it otherwise would be. Under close examination, you may recoil in disgust. |, February 14, 2020 A few weeks before the end of the world, Dodge (Steve Carell) finds himself alone; his wife has abruptly left him. Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/5 | Top Critics (56) Families can talk about how Seeking a Friend for the End of the World depicts people's end-of-days behavior. Drifting through his final days, Dodge runs into a neighbor, Penny (Keira Knightley), whom he has never spoken to before. The chemistry between Carell and Knightley is really special here; they both give great performances and carry the film I loved this movie. |, July 12, 2012 As ever, without a funny script, Carell looks and sounds like the world's creepiest serial killer. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is as insufferable as its title. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. It's just that a movie as sensitive and insightful as "Seeking a Friend" comes along so rarely, it deserves to be a massive success when it does. See our. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. No spoiler review . Laughs, love & appeals to the heart! The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher. However that doesn't mean there isn't great humour, joy and warmth in this wonderfully crafted movie by first time director Lorene Scafaria. The emphasis here is on 'just about', however. You're almost there! @petertravers Follow Sign up here. Are they intended to be? Seeking a Friend for the End of the World takes the old “What would you do if you knew you only had X amount of time to live?” question and forces everyone on the planet to answer it. | Rating: 1/5 A character's wife tries to seduce Dodge, but he rebuffs her. All rights reserved. Shortly after, the driver is abruptly (and shockingly) killed by a single bullet; some blood is shown, and a dead body. |, November 26, 2019 Joshua Rothkopf Time Out. A woman flirts heavily with Dodge, but he isn't interested. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity's last days are at hand. This additional information about the movie’s content is taken from the notes of various Canadian Film Classification boards: Well-made, but ultimately disappointing. However, towards the end **Spoilers** when they end up together, it really kills the vibe. Shop Seeking a Friend for the End of the World [DVD] [2012] at Best Buy. 5.0 out of 5 stars4.5 stars for this surprisingly touching and original film. |, July 13, 2012 |, July 31, 2019 The movie, which revolves around the actions of a man named Dodge (Steve Carell) when humanity is told it only has three weeks before the end of the world. 4 VIDEOS | 49 IMAGES. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. In a diner, friendly waitresses and waiters make out with each other and with the main characters; it's implied that an orgy is about to begin. On Metacritic the film has a score of 59 out of 100, based on reviews from 36 critics. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Home Movies Movie Reviews. Showing all 15 items Jump to: Certification; Sex & Nudity (4) Violence & Gore (4) Profanity (1) Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking (2) Frightening & Intense Scenes (3) Spoilers (1) Certification. 33 talking about this. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. They must find the thing or person they love best to spend their final days with. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). This is half a good film but hardly a wholly satisfactory one. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity's last days are at hand. Positive Elements. Penny is sometimes flighty, irresponsible, and overly impulsive, but she means well, and she clearly has a warm, loving heart. Two characters have sex fairly early in the movie. Coke products are seen a few times; also Colgate, Dunkin' Donuts, ESPN, and some car models (notably Smart Car). The emphasis here is on 'just about', however. Scafaria retools modern trappings with old formulas for mostly enjoyable effect. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. 5.0 out of 5 starsViewed with an open mind, its a fantastic movie! One character has a bunker full of weapons (and other survival gear). It’s one of the year’s best, more powerful movies, but there’s plenty of strong foul language and some morally aberrant behavior, especially during the movie’s first half, that warrant extreme caution. With strong dialogue, likable characters, and clever jokes, this film shows you that there can be good things to come out of a bad situation. Purchasing this product was easy using Amazon.com. Thank you for your support. | Rotten (78). All rights reserved. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a very random movie. Tender, charming, and well-acted, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is unfortunately hamstrung by jarring tonal shifts and a disappointing final act. They're seen roaring drunk and/or high, and they urge kids to try the substances, too. Nothing besides kissing is shown, but they talk about it afterward. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Best Netflix Shows and Series To Binge (January 2021), The 100 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (January 2021), 100 Best Movies on Amazon Prime To Watch (January 2021). They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. We listen to the CD a lot. |, July 25, 2019 We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. 4 VIDEOS | 49 IMAGES. | Rating: 3/5 That slows down the film at times. Two characters have sex (nothing sensitive shown), and many others talk about sex or make sexual advances. There were many things that occur in the final act that are left alone. Read critic reviews. Some characters struggle with discovering just what that thing is, while others try to find hope in possible survival. Each song rings with new meaning in this context, and each character choice has huge connotations. Strong language includes fairly frequent use of words like "f--k" (written and spoken in various forms), "s--t," "d--k," "p---y," "oh my God," "a--hole," "damn," "dammit," "oh my God," and "tw-t.". We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future. Suggest an update to this review. Coming Soon. Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2013. It almost seemed like the writers were rushing or wrote themselves into a corner. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity's last days are at hand. Imaginative, loopy romance has mature themes, profanity. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is one of the most criminally overlooked films of 2012. The film depicts four main responses: total denial (as in Dodge’s housekeeper who just keeps showing up), total hedonism (more on that below), violent rage, and making the most of it. Movie review of To Rome With Love - Woody Allen and movie review Seeking a Friend for the End of the World on NoHo Arts District.com North Hollywood Movie Reviews with Mike Peros 40. Just as long as you don't look at it too intently. How do you think the movie might have been different if the world were ending through nuclear war or climate meltdown, rather than a runaway asteroid? In the end, this film is definitely one with a lot of promise and I felt myself attached to almost every character, until it's very rushed conclusion. Parents need to know that Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a low-key romantic dramedy set during the last few weeks on Earth before an asteroid hits. ¿Cuánto tiempo frente a las pantallas es adecuado para mis hijos? |, July 13, 2012 Also along the way, Dodge and Penny begin to discover that what's most important may actually be right in front of them. We won't share this comment without your permission. Coming Soon. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. The beginning is actually quite excellent. I really enjoyed the idea of them just being friends and facing the end of the world together in the end. © Common Sense Media. He learns to think selflessly, to take chances, and to grant (and accept) forgiveness. All Critics (173) I went into the viewing of this movie with preconceived notions thinking it was going to be the typical Steve Carell comedy. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, in her feature directorial debut. SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is a poignant dramatic comedy with strong Christian, moral elements. As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. The plot, the drama, the humor, overall it's perfect! After his bold young neighbor, Penny (Keira Knightley), belatedly delivers a letter from Dodge's former sweetheart, Dodge decides that he must find the love of his life before it's too late. Some bits are comical, but the film is mostly a downer as it goes on. | Rating: 2.5/5 Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. I was so torn at the end of this movie. This film helms terrific performances and great characters that come in and out of their lives throughout these remaining days; However, when you set up things that audiences want to see executed and you do not follow through, it can be pretty frustrating. We saw the movie and enjoyed the music. Occasional arguing, and a general sense of peril/despair. As an asteroid nears Earth, a man finds himself alone after his wife leaves in a panic. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". The movie's mood is somewhat bleak but colored with fascinating characters, all of whom seem to have already existed in the margins of the story; they feel alive. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a 2012 American romantic comedy-drama film, written and directed by Lorene Scafaria, in her directorial debut. |. According to Rotten Tomatoes, "tender, charming, and well-acted, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is unfortunately hamstrung by jarring tonal shifts and a disappointing final act" with 55% of critics giving it a positive rating, based on 172 reviews. Chris Stuckmann reviews Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, starring Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry, Derek … At it's core, this film is essentially about a planet that is about to collide with Earth, leaving the planet in ruins. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World [Blu-ray] Steve Carell (Actor), Keira Knightley (Actor), Lorene Scafaria (Director, Writer) & 0 more. Dodge drinks cough syrup with codeine over several scenes early on, to the point of drunkenness. Audiences surveyed by CinemaScoregave the film a grade C+ on scal… But over the course of the movie, he learns to live, rather than avoid, the moments as they come. "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" follows the exact title all the way through. Price Match Guarantee. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. Set in a too-near future, the movie explores what people will do when humanity's last days are at hand. | Rating: 5/10 The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a film that just about works. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Crowds riot, setting fires and causing destruction to people and property; there are gunshots and glimpses of dead bodies. Penny smokes marijuana to both help her get to sleep and to wake up. When the final choice is made, it means the world. MPAA: By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD is an odd, quirky and touching film. A suicidal man falls on a car without warning (broken glass, a little blood). Edit. Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2013. The entire production was great with amazing dark comedy based around the world ending. | Fresh (95) [It] unfortunately invites a lethal dose of scepticism towards its cutesy last-ditch matchmaking, obligatory road-trip plotting, and thinly funny jibes at the rest of humankind. R (Language|Brief Violence|Sexual References|Some Drug Use), comedy, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is one of the most criminally overlooked films of 2012. An asteroid is heading Earthwards. A friendly truck driver thinks Dodge has been sent to kill him (people are hiring assassins to take them out before the end of the world). Ultimately, love, companionship, and acceptance are valued above all else. We display the minimum age for which content is developmentally appropriate. Just confirm how you got your ticket. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Very nice.