BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
There are certain movies made for certain people. It’s the same with any art. Nothing is for the masses, but an audience can be found. In this case, let’s talk movies. People just latch on to certain movies. One of the many movies that I have an emotional latch on is “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”. That movie isn’t for everyone, but is one of my favorites and can blow my mind in what feels like fresh viewings to this day. I got the same “vibe” from “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”. I’m not saying it’s a copy or anything like that. It’s not. It’s just got a practical independent creativity that deals with a certain core emotion in a precise way that is “comfort food” for the viewer’s soul. So basically I had my hopes up. WAY up. “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” stars Steve Carell. He’s a normal everyday guy who is in the car with his wife when the radio announces that the world will end in three weeks. His wife proceeds to run away, leaving Carell alone for the end of the world. Chaos goes down around him as he tries to go to work and live his normal live out to the end. Hijinks and drama ensue and he ends up hooking up with an awesome quirky girl, played by Keira Knightley. They join up and go on a pre-apocalyptic road trip. They learn more about each other through experience, heart to heart discussions, and meeting a few people from their pasts. Where they’re going, why they’re going, and who they encounter should be experienced with the movie. There are some great cameos from a variety of characters in a variety of locations and situations. Some of these people include Adam Brody, Connie Britton, Rob Corddry, Patton Oswalt, Rob Huebel, Gillian Jacobs, Amy Schumer, Jim O’Heir, T.J. Miller, Melinda Dillon, Derek Luke, and a few surprises that I’ll save for people who still need to see this. And yes, you DO need to see this. Lorene Scafaria’s first big movie was “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”. That movie was enjoyable, but didn’t quite hit the marks you’d think it would with the cast and trailer. In “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”, those marks are hit. I never get into the “numbers”, but this movie didn’t have nearly the success it should have in theatres. Was it not promoted well? Bad timing? What was it? This was a beautiful movie. I’ve been a big fan of Steve Carell since I can remember. Be it TV, supporting roles, lead roles, or anything really. If it involves Steve Carell my tough jaded exterior opens up a bit more. I am having a hard time thinking of a performance of his that I enjoyed more than “Dodge Petersen” in this. I’ve appreciated Keira Knightley in the past, but she was never someone I’d go out of my way to see. I was worried about her character. In a few of these movies the “quirky awesome girl” can just come off forced. Knightley nailed it. She was more grounded and “eccentric” than a bouncy bubble. It just made you want to see Carell and her get together all that much more. Their chemistry rocked. If you haven’t seen this movie, see it. I don’t know if you’ll like it, but it’s a movie that deserves to be taken in and digested however you’d like. If you don’t think it’s one of the best movies of 2012, one of Steve Carell’s best performances, and a credit to everyone involved then you’re probably not all that cool but whatever. Just watch it! I plan to again and again in the near and distant future. A!
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