Page 6 May 19, 2016 EL SEGUNDO HERALD “The Lobster” and the Absurdity of Modern Love By Ryan Rojas for www.cinemacy.com In this modern age, where more and more human relationships are being facilitated online – apps like Tinder making romance and falling in love almost binary in nature – is it any wonder why we might now feel like we’ve lost just a bit of our collective humanity, and why the whole thing might even be seen as, laughable? In the new ambiguously titled film “The Lobster,” director Yorgos Lanthimos (“Dogtooth”) sends up this idea to make a darkly absurd, yet hilarious and thoughtful look at the amount of similarly programmed, artificialized, confining rules and structures that humans have put into place to connect with others. In stretching the joke to its most absurd, silliest places, “The Lobster” makes for a wonderfully stylish satire with its poignancy and lasting punch. For our interview with Lanthimos, visit www.cinemacy.com. “The Lobster” takes place in a dystopian, near future world, where single people (according to the laws of ‘The City’) are arrested and taken to ‘The Hotel,’ where they must find a romantic partner in forty-five days or else (cue the absurd twist) be turned into an animal and released into the woods (it’s not so cruel – they get to choose which animal they would like to be turned into to live out the rest of their days). In the lead role, Colin Farrell packs on a pudge to play the wireframe-wearing sad sap David (the only named person in the film, the rest of the characters being defined as Nosebleed Woman, Loner Leader’s Father, and so on), who, in the film’s first scene, is seen as just the latest victim of relationship-ending heartbreak. Farrell, pivoting 180 degrees from his macho and hard-boiled character in HBO’s less-than-satisfying second season of “True Detective,” gets laughs right off the bat. Farrell proves, with his bushy mustache groomed over his tight-lipped mouth, that he can do the deadpan comedy in spades. After seeing David unlucky in love, we are introduced to The Hotel, where David and the rest of the other singles are housed and watched under scrutiny by the staff. It is here where we learn the rules of this world – singles check-in at the front desk, exchange the clothes on their back for navy sport coats and flower-printed dresses, are logged into the system, and learn that they must find, not so much “love,” as a romantic partner, a mate for life, within 45 days. Understandably, all singles are largely silent and awkward in their behaviors, including Ben Whishaw and John C. Reilly, who attend The Hotel’s hilariously awkward staged talks regarding the dangers of living alone and attending the just-as awkward dances. Singles are also shuttled to the surrounding forest with tranquilizer-loaded hunting rifles, to tag and bag the rogue singles living outside of The City’s laws. Successfully neutralizing a “Loner” will add another day to their stay at The Hotel, upping the chances of finding a mate. It’s a route that leads David to the Loners, including the Short Sighted Woman (Rachel Weisz), a fellow single who lives under the rule of the Loner Leader (Léa Seydoux). The twist here is, even outside of The City’s watch and The Hotel’s confines, living in the forest as a devoted single shares its own equally inhibiting and just as dumb rules. It is here that Lanthimos drives the point home, societal structures that are put in place in the effort to control one’s relationship status is a doomed, fool’s errand. ”The Lobster,” is wildly unexpected, unique, and plays the absurdity of this world with winning deadpan humor throughout. It affirms the reality where people are turned into animals, but even they have boundaries, as a single is wisely advised by a superior that a camel and a hippopotamus wouldn’t end up together, because ”That would be absurd... think about it.” The modern age intelligentsia poking fun at the state of human behavior to control nature’s effect in utilitarian effort is entirely Twain-like, and makes for one of the year’s most unforgettable movies. 1 h 58 min. Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, and some violence. Now playing in select theaters, including the ArcLight Hollywood. • Film Review Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz in “The Lobster.” Courtesy of A24. Fellhauer from front page LAX from page 3 airlines are charging baggage fees. Each carry-on bag gets scanned and checked. “Our strong economy means air carriers are enjoying record travel volume, which is resulting in heavier than normal volumes of travelers at our nation’s airports – some with double digit increases over last summer. “In addition to arriving at U.S. airports up to two hours prior to departure, we encourage travelers to enroll in TSA Pre Check or other trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, Nexus, or SENTRI, which improve security and reduce wait times.” TSA is addressing the increased volume of travelers, with measures including more baggage-sniffing dogs, overtime and hiring, the agency said. “We are appreciative that our airline partners are working with us by asking travelers to arrive at the airport as much as two hours early for domestic flights, which will help to alleviate some of the expected summer congestion,” the TSA statement read. A TSA spokesman, when asked how many checkpoint agents would be hired for LAX, Long Beach and Burbank airports, said he didn’t have an airport-by-airport breakdown. Two U.S. senators have suggested that airlines drop their checked-baggage fees during the summer months to deal with expected longer lines at TSA checkpoints. Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Ed Markey of Massachusetts cite data indicating that bag fees increase the use of rolling carry-ons by 27 percent, the U.S. Travel Association reported on May 11. The airlines blame TSA staffing for the wait times, the association reported, and they say TSA should promote the Pre-Check trusted travel program. • conservative and someone who does not believe in raising taxes, but it was only when we felt there were no other alternatives left to better the City’s financial health that we as a group agreed to put any measures on the ballot when we also knew that every tax dollar would stay local. Also as a group, we succeeded in reeling in expenditures by reworking labor agreements. On the morale side, there were other factors involved that residents may not be aware of that the Council was not responsible for.” One item Fellhauer personally pushed resulted in some flak from a few local residents. She was adamant that Council members should not be on the City’s books for medical benefits once they have left the dais. “I just feel it isn’t right when this is a part-time job that we should do out of love for the City,” she said. “We shouldn’t add to the City’s liability after we’re done serving.” Fellhauer also addressed opponent allegations during the election campaign that she took credit for negotiating the Chevron tax resolution agreement when she was not on the Council subcommittee assigned to the matter. “It took all five of us on the Council to approve this deal and I did meet directly with Chevron officials when we were at a stalemate late in the process,” she said. “I stepped in and played a major role in resolving the impasse so we could move forward with the settlement.” Looking at the highlights of her term, Fellhauer was pleased to see major growth in economic development that led to numerous new businesses and hotels now here or on their way to town; the openings of The Point shopping center and elevon creative media campus; approval for the future Raytheon South Campus development; El Segundo’s recognition as the Most Business-Friendly City in LA County for the second time; an agreement to provide a new aquatics facility at the future Wiseburn High campus; increased commitment to infrastructure repair, including the in-progress Richmond Street rehabilitation project; the recent passage of Measure B to help shore up City finances; and the vote to bring TopGolf to El Segundo. “TopGolf was one of the best examples of the way I considered a particular issue,” Fellhauer said. “For a deal this important, I needed to research extensively and weigh every pro and con to be sure my vote was for the City’s best interests. So I decided on my own dime to fly to Texas and see a TopGolf facility in action. I saw all the positives firsthand and then once the financials came in to the benefit of the City and I realized all the economic development intangibles that could come our way, it made it clear that it was the right move to vote in favor of it. Though there were people in town against it for different reasons, I believe they will be pleasantly surprised once TopGolf opens.” Another highlight for Fellhauer was her appointment to the Independent Cities Association presidency last summer. By virtue of leaving the Council, she also had to vacate that post midstream. “I am disappointed to have to cut that term short,” she said. “We were making some good progress collaborating with other cities and agencies in a variety of areas. Having an El Segundo elected official in that role is very beneficial to us, so I hope the momentum can be maintained.” Fellhauer also hopes someone else might take the reins in her effort to raise El Segundo’s 6.3 percent share of collected property tax dollars. “Some balked at me about this, feeling it was a waste of time. But this is a huge inequity that must be addressed. I had begun to lobby legislators to get them behind our cause and I believe that getting other similar cities on board to pressure the County can reap dividends even if it takes years to accomplish it. This is our community’s money and more of it ought to stay here.” Although her weekly workload will now decrease by 20 hours or so as she leaves the Council and ICA, Fellhauer still has plenty on her plate. She and her husband Justin adopted a newborn (Klaus) last September. “The experience has been a total joy,” she said. “We are truly blessed to be parents.” The additional free time for family is a big bonus and the couple also has plans to visit Italy during the summer. And of course, Fellhauer continues to work a full-time job as a sergeant for LAPD. “I am going to miss being part of the process at City Hall and it was an honor to serve the community. I’ve said it before and mean it--I was born here, grew up here, got married here, became a homeowner here, am raising my son here and someday will die here. El Segundo is in my heart and soul and always will be. So while I wish I could have had the opportunity to continue serving, I wish everyone on the Council the best of luck going forward and am excited about the future. I believe we are in a better place today than we were four years ago and I hope the new leadership will keep it going…” • STARS & STRIPES A M E R I C A N M A D E C L O T H I N G S T O R E COME CHECK US OUT! GREAT CLOTHING INCLUDING DENIM, HATS, BAGS, SHOES AND MORE 1107 Van Ness Ave.Torrance, CA 90501 • 310.320-3207 LEE 101 USA, WOOLRICH, SAVE KHAKI, MINNETONKA MOCCASIN, PENNY, JAN SPORT, DULUTH, REYN SPOONER, TRETORN, BALL, BURTON, STANCE, RAINBOW SANDALS, FILSON, TEVA, NEW YORK HAT, PADDY WAX, RICHER & POORER, SCHOTT USA, STRATHTAY Open Mondays through Saturdays Noon to 6pm
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