A Different Kind of Romantic Comedy

 A Different Kind of Romantic Comedy

“Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” had me doing what I expect from all romantic comedies-- laughing and crying.

This 2012 film starring Steve Carell and Kiera Knightly is not your typical romantic comedy-- although it does have common archetypes. With Knightly playing the quirky optimistic romantic who loves records and Carell playing a middle-aged depressed lonely nobody. When I came across this Lorene Scafaria film on HBOMAX I wasn’t really expecting to be emotional about it, so don’t make the same mistake I did. 

The unlikely couple is brought together by the world’s impending doom. The beginning of the movie announces that there is an asteroid heading toward Earth and despite scientists’ efforts, it is going to destroy the world. When Dodge’s (Carell) wife leaves him, he expects to spend his final days alone. However, Penny (Knightly) comes along and changes that. They go on a journey together with the goal of Dodge taking Penny to a plane so that she can get home to her family and Penny helping Dodge get to a long-lost love. What the two do not expect is to fall in love along the way.

This love story, although seen before, is different from this dark undertone of impending doom. Yes, the character tropes are the same as any other romantic comedy with the optimistic younger woman showing a slightly older depressed man the joys of life, but in this case-- there is no more life to be had. Because, in nearly three weeks the world will end, and Penny and Dodge end up spending it together even though they have never met before. Call me cheesy, but I love it.

There are a few emotional twists throughout this film that I will not spoil in case you have yet to watch this nearly 20-year-old movie, but I strongly suggest doing so if you haven’t. 

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