The Lobster

May 3, 2016 2:09 PM

Q: Now have you thought of what animal you'd like to be if you end up alone?

A: Yes. A lobster.
posted by JPowers (24 comments total)

I thought it was a known fact that lobsters fall in love and mate for life.
posted by w0mbat at 2:17 PM on May 3, 2016

This is the new film from Yorgos Lanthimos, director of the similarly unique Dogtooth. I saw it a few months ago. It's really, really good. I feel like this is one of those movies where you should go in with as little knowledge as possible, so YMMV but I would avoid the trailer if you plan on seeing it. And you should see it!
posted by naju at 2:20 PM on May 3, 2016 [5 favorites]

Oh, it's a movie trailer.
posted by JHarris at 2:25 PM on May 3, 2016

This movie is so weird and great.
posted by graventy at 2:26 PM on May 3, 2016 [3 favorites]

The lobster: consider it.
posted by grumpybear69 at 2:30 PM on May 3, 2016 [11 favorites]

Agree with the awesome. This and Rubber are my go-to double feature for when I fail to sustain my relationship and end up a sloth.
posted by roue at 2:39 PM on May 3, 2016 [2 favorites]

Sadly, it's closer to that point than I would have thought.
posted by roue at 2:40 PM on May 3, 2016

This still hasn't shown in my area, so I haven't seen it yet, but in addition to Dogtooth, his other major feature Alps is available streaming, and is also really really good.
posted by ernielundquist at 2:45 PM on May 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

If it's hard to see a showing, there are certainly... places online, to obtain it *exaggerated wink*
posted by naju at 2:49 PM on May 3, 2016

I've been waiting for a trailer ever since I first read about this movie. It's one of those movies that has everything I want (even despite the usual lack of diversity).
posted by numaner at 2:49 PM on May 3, 2016

If you have any problems you will be assigned children, that usually helps.
posted by Belle O'Cosity at 4:21 PM on May 3, 2016 [7 favorites]

I loved this movie but man, the ending sure did piss me off. I haven't experienced anger like that in a long time.
posted by hoodrich at 4:34 PM on May 3, 2016

Sold!
posted by heyho at 5:13 PM on May 3, 2016

This film is wonderful. The pace is dry and mischievous and the actors are soulful and magnetic.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 6:03 PM on May 3, 2016 [1 favorite]

I went in with no expectations and came back with a movie to go see. Thanks.
posted by doctor_negative at 8:05 PM on May 3, 2016

The first half is fantastic, the second half is just OK. Still unlike anything else I've seen and worth watching.
posted by benzenedream at 8:53 PM on May 3, 2016

(1) Violin concerto background music?
(2) Scenes dominated by awkward dialogue?
(3) Interposed with blank frames containing only laurel-leaves-award-icons?

I get that all movie trailers are formulaic, and I understand borrowing a particular aesthetic helps signal potential audience that your movie belongs to a certain type that they may be interested in, but I have an almost visceral, reflexive hatred of these trailers. And independent cinema or metaphysical black comedy is supposed to be for iconoclasts! ... ahem... sorry...

But yeah, I'd like to watch this movie.
posted by midmarch snowman at 10:26 PM on May 3, 2016

I saw it a few months ago, having no real clue about it other than a blurb on the cinema's website. It really was a great film experience: it ain't your usual Hollywood shite, as it truly makes you think. And the social commentary (which I won't delve into here) is extremely biting.
posted by Halo in reverse at 2:27 AM on May 4, 2016 [1 favorite]

It played our small indie theatre a couple of weeks ago and I missed it. But it's been out for a while, I think?
posted by Kitteh at 6:14 AM on May 4, 2016

YES. I went into this film knowing nothing, and it was sublime.
posted by davejh at 8:06 AM on May 4, 2016

And the social commentary (which I won't delve into here) is extremely biting.

I was just talking to my cousin who lives in Singapore - she was talking about how the most affordable and attractive public housing flats are set aside for young couples with the expectation that they'll get married and have babies. If the relationship doesn't work out and you don't get married within 6 months, you get evicted. The incentives work out such that finding a partner and getting married (whether that partner is the right fit for you or not!) is economically necessary for many people. Hearing her talk about it reminded me of the premise of this film to a scary degree.
posted by naju at 12:14 PM on May 4, 2016

The movie is way darker than what the trailer shows.
posted by SageLeVoid at 6:26 PM on May 4, 2016

nthing that you should watch this.
posted by alby at 9:12 AM on May 5, 2016

I just saw The Lobster and I think it's going to take some time to sort out my thoughts on it. Did enjoy it.
posted by rodlymight at 3:09 PM on May 8, 2016