This new sci-fi film (released today in the States) takes place in the near future when single people have 45 days to find a compatible mate, or else be transformed into an animal and released into the wild.
Discussion
32 comments for “Being Single is Hell in “The Lobster””
Ugh! Can’t get by this initial concept. Reminds me of Jodie Foster talking about how scripts written by men consistently rely on rape to move the plot and develop characters.
It seems I’m the odd woman out, here: I think the trailer is hilarious and delightful, and I can’t wait to see the film. (And if I stay single, I plan to transform into a bird.)
When I read your caption I thought, whaaat?! But then I watched the trailer and it does look pretty funny.
And I would be happy to turn into an animal … if I get to pick the animal.
I think the point is to exaggerate how marginalized single people actually are. Some people DO already regard us as strange animals that can’t be fully understood.
I am with you on that, Wendy. I also wonder if anyone else gets a kind of envious vibe from married friends or acquaintances at times? Like they wish they had considered a life like yours as a viable option, instead of opting for the ‘traditional’ path they took?
At least now (thinking of your subsequent post and your early distaste for a ‘regular’ life) – you are anything but regular now! It’s always hard to be a pioneer but it’s kind of heroic I think.
I identified with Wendy’s post about not wanting a regular life. When I was in my 20’s I was terrified of ending up “normal” e.g. married w/ kids. Now in my late 30’s I sometimes wish I was normal, but it’s usually a fleeting feeling. I get that way when it just feels hard being single with no kids in a coupled world.
But I love my life! I would never trade it for being a suburban house wife….EVER!
Hmmmm…good question. I think they feel normal as far as being in a relationship. But I’m sure they have other things that make them feel abnormal. 😉
I enjoy not being married, but if you think about it, most media is about married people. The only movies about single people are about them FINDING a person. So this is movie will be an interesting surrealist sci-fi take on what happens to single people when they don’t find someone. I think I’d see it.
I liked the trailer. Please make me a fat little river otter, cozy in my lair, eating silvery fish, and sliding down the snowy banks with my brothers and sisters for all eternity.
Ugh! Can’t get by this initial concept. Reminds me of Jodie Foster talking about how scripts written by men consistently rely on rape to move the plot and develop characters.
I first heard the director talking about it on the radio, and it sounded interesting.
Just have to add, the trailer is made me giggle.
Such a crazy premise.
Sounds dumb
I’ve got to see this film. I will report back.
It seems I’m the odd woman out, here: I think the trailer is hilarious and delightful, and I can’t wait to see the film. (And if I stay single, I plan to transform into a bird.)
I’ll have to contemplate my animal.
I mean this in jest but this was on the news:
“World’s Oldest Woman Said Secret To Long Life Is Staying Single”
Not surprising, right?!
I’d like to become my dad’s next dog. Those animals have it better than we did as kids.
So true, Claire.
When I read your caption I thought, whaaat?! But then I watched the trailer and it does look pretty funny.
And I would be happy to turn into an animal … if I get to pick the animal.
And your animal would be….?
Being one of my own dogs wouldn’t be too bad, for starters.
It sounds like dogs do have an awesome life.
I think the point is to exaggerate how marginalized single people actually are. Some people DO already regard us as strange animals that can’t be fully understood.
The longer I go being single, the more I LOVE it!!
I am with you on that, Wendy. I also wonder if anyone else gets a kind of envious vibe from married friends or acquaintances at times? Like they wish they had considered a life like yours as a viable option, instead of opting for the ‘traditional’ path they took?
At least now (thinking of your subsequent post and your early distaste for a ‘regular’ life) – you are anything but regular now! It’s always hard to be a pioneer but it’s kind of heroic I think.
I have a few married friends who have expressed a bit of envy. But, really, everyone’s life is filled with immense challenge. It’s what we do with it.
I identified with Wendy’s post about not wanting a regular life. When I was in my 20’s I was terrified of ending up “normal” e.g. married w/ kids. Now in my late 30’s I sometimes wish I was normal, but it’s usually a fleeting feeling. I get that way when it just feels hard being single with no kids in a coupled world.
But I love my life! I would never trade it for being a suburban house wife….EVER!
PS. This film looks stupid in my opinion. 😉
I wonder if married people feel “normal.”
Hmmmm…good question. I think they feel normal as far as being in a relationship. But I’m sure they have other things that make them feel abnormal. 😉
Unless they’re miserable in their relationships and feel not normal compared to the ideal.
I enjoy not being married, but if you think about it, most media is about married people. The only movies about single people are about them FINDING a person. So this is movie will be an interesting surrealist sci-fi take on what happens to single people when they don’t find someone. I think I’d see it.
I really believe the narrative is changing. And that’s in part thanks to all of us.
I think the movie looks funny! Going to see it alone is going to be particularly poignant, don’t you think? 🙂
My animal would be either an eagle or a dolphin. The air or the sea for me…
Going alone is poignant, as long as we don’t get round up. 🙂
I liked the trailer. Please make me a fat little river otter, cozy in my lair, eating silvery fish, and sliding down the snowy banks with my brothers and sisters for all eternity.
I love that you not only have the animal but your environment, your food and companions. Great image.
Great article in the Atlantic and Salon about this movie. I can’t wait to see it!
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/05/the-lobster-a-dystopian-tour-de-force/482619/
http://www.salon.com/2016/05/20/your_wedding_season_anxiety_antidote_the_weird_wild_unlikely_romance_of_the_lobster/
Thanks for the link.