LOS ANGELES, Sept 4 ― Ahead of its screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival (September 10-20), a first trailer for unusual comedy thriller “The Lobster” arrives, expanding on one of two clips released during Cannes, and featuring Colin Farrell as the man who has 45 days to fall in love.

Farrell’s series of turns in early 2000s action movies may have typecast him but he went on to prove his comic prowess with films like “Intermission”, “In Bruges”, “Horrible Bosses” and “Seven Psychopaths”.

Here, the moustachioed Irishman plays the part of David, sent to a retreat at which singles must successfully pair off within a month and a half.

If they fail, they turn into an animal of their choosing ― hence, David’s pet dog is actually his brother, a prior resident of The Hotel.

Eligible mates select each other from The Hotel’s pool of temporary residents, but after a series of awkward approaches, David finds himself going off-piste, striking up conversation with a woman from outside the compound (Rachael Weisz), and transgressing strict guidelines as he does.

Shot on location in Ireland, “The Lobster” has already enjoyed a very warm reception after its Cannes debut earlier in the year.

Its cast extends to encompass a number of established comedy stars, including Olivia Colman, now well known outside her native country not just for her roles in TV sitcoms (“Peep Show” and “Green Wing”) but also more serious fare (“The Iron Lady”, “Locke”, “Broadchurch.”)

Then there’s John C. Reilly, Léa Seydoux, and Ben Wishaw; director Yorgos Lanthimos brings over the well esteemed Angeliki Papoulia and Ariane Labed.

As for Lanthimos, he is very much in vogue in the independent film world.

The Greek filmmaker was held in high regard following the welcome given to his 2009 drama “Dogtooth”.

Two Cannes awards and an Oscar nomination were just some of the accolades that followed, and he was then cast in another Greek drama, “Attenberg”, which was very well received at the Venice Film Festival.

His next film, “Alps”, was another Venice success, and “The Lobster” received worldwide attention upon its Cannes debut in May, taking home the Jury Prize, a Palme d’Or nomination, and the Queer Palm for its treatment of societal norms. David’s pet, Bob, won the Palm Dog Award.

A more general release beckons in October; for now, we have a minute and a half’s worth of trailer reel, whetting our appetites for Lanthimos’s bizarre and allegorical crustacean. ― AFP-Relaxnews