I’m a sucker for big apocalyptic melodramas — there is no greater drama in my view than the end of our civilization — yet I also enjoy subtler takes on the psychology of cataclysm, and in that regard this movie is perceptive, thoughtful and, at its climax, emotionally overwhelming.

Lorene Scafaria’s film doesn’t dwell on the event itself.  No scientists are seen trying to prevent disaster, and the final hope of humanity inauspiciously explodes long before it ever reaches the 70-mile long asteroid that promises to end everything with which we are familiar.  Even the expected global panic is understated, and this did bother me for a while, until it becomes clear that most people are either ending their lives under their control or simply leaving, wishing to spend their final hours doing their own thing.  Thus, the unhappy wife of Dodge Petersen (Steve Carell) simply runs away, unable to spend even one more minute with him, and he befriends lonely Penny (Keira Knightley), a neighbor for whom he shares pity.

They are forced to flee New York because of riots and so drive through New Jersey down to Delaware.  Along the way they meet several interesting people and witness several reactions to the upcoming holocaust.  Naturally, because this is a movie, they become attracted to each other.  I expected this, yet I was pleasantly surprised by how believably their relationship evolves.  Keira Knightley, who is so perfect for period pieces (like the upcoming Anna Karenina), is a bit grating on the nerves in her role, and Steve Carell is often so subdued he’s in danger of becoming invisible.  Even so, despite a slow and rather banal beginning, their characters eventually shine quite brightly and lend powerful dignity to the imminent end of humanity.

The conclusion is tricky.  Many Hollywood fantasies would pull back at the end, find a miracle and leave a few plucky survivors to pick up the pieces of civilization and begin again.  This movie avoids that temptation.  Its ending is, to my mind, almost pitch perfect and the only possible way to conclude its storyline and honor its premise.  Some viewers won’t like it, but it worked beautifully for me.

I also have to praise its use of music.  I was thrilled to see Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass (my favorite band) given such prominence in the storyline, and the various songs picked to set the moods and advance the story were exquisitely chosen.  This film isn’t for everybody, but it is one I cherish and wish to see again. Ultimately I believe it shows the end of the world as I would like to see it occur, if such a thing were ever to come to pass, giving the people of the world time to understand, adjust and say goodbye to the important people, places and things in their lives.  All things must end, and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is an exercise in finding grace when that occurs.  ☆ ☆ ☆.  25 June 2012.