Search - The Last Kiss (Full Screen Edition) on DVD

Lydia Z. (grandmalydia)
Reviewed on 5/26/2024...

It's a good movie!

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

NANCY S. from BROOKLYN, NY
Reviewed on 5/26/2011...

A great relationship movie!

1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

For the emotionally honest

Luca Graziuso | NYC | 02/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a dramatic piece originally written and directed by Gabriele Muccino under the title "The Last Kiss" (2001). A blockbuster in Italy and a much more intense and revealing experience than this Hollywood counterpart by Tony Goldwyn, who seems to have a penchant for appropriating scripts (million dollar baby and Crash) and legitimizing the depth that is therein displayed. Needless to say in this adaptation - however direct transliteral carbon-copy may be a more accurate description - something is lost. The cultural translation works only within a limited dress, disguising inability to commit with what may be "existential angst" in full swing. The Italian version adds intensity where the DreamWorks production carries a blunt tenderness, neither convincing nor endearing, but always aptly dramatized. The casting is excellent as we've come to expect of all of Tricia Wood's engagements, with Zach Braff and Jacinta Barrett and Rachel Bilson in leading roles supported with a surplus of talent in minor agents of definite weight.

This movie is well-constructed and racy in an intellectual and sensual sense. What happened to the screams into the void, the cries for more and the desperation for meaning that afflicted the characters in "L'Ultimo Bacio" and seems to be an afterthought in a redrafted tale about the fragility of the psyche and the crass expectations we feel obliged to meet and rejoice within.

Something is lost in the translation, but the undercurrents are aflowing with enough force to warrant watching and perhaps even comparing. If you are verging on 30 and thinking about getting married you'll end up getting stuck in a nostalgic disoriented displaced mood. If you are a woman you'll wonder why the male presence overarches the female roles, with the answer being a cultural one. In Italy this is a "Guy-flick". In other words: a night out with the guys so as to vent, let go and recharge, similar to the much maligned chick-flick category, but more of a phenomena with depth of extra human proportions. Not possible in the US (I apologize for the generalizing vein I force here).

To make it simple for the simple "if you liked Garden State you'll love The Last Kiss." If you are not afraid of pinching the reflective chords within so as to stir the inevitable emotional instability we must confront on occasions lest we just follow the crowd and get lost in the shuffle, then watch it and enjoy, or better yet buy the original version (on sale on Amazon too) and challenge your intellectual sensibilities in an honest commercial effort, satisfactory and satisfying.



"

The truth can be hard to watch

Tristan B | CA, United States | 04/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any male between 23-30 whos considering or in a commited relationship can attest to the (brutal) honesty of this movie. It portray's men's grass is greener feelings toward other women (when locked in a relationship) with perfection. The portrayal of Chris' character and having a child is absolutely spot on also, raising a child can push you to your edge just like you see his wife. And consequently make you consider leaving the relationship. The grass is greener feelings toward bachlors, etc, the movie is just plain accurate and I'm sure many have found it profound how the film nailed their own personal feelings.



A paragraph for the character of Jenna (played by Jacinda Barrett). Wow, the portrayal is just so amazing and real, my wife and I were both affected very much by it (my wife was in tears in the first Chris/Jenna confrontation and then of course the Michael/Jenna immediately after). The acting was the most honest I've ever seen a female actor allow themselves to go to. I saw some comments about the physicality of Jenna's character, personally it was spot on, my wife would certainly push/smack/slap me if I'd behaved even close to the Michael character. This could be direction as well as Jacinda of course. If so, very nice Tony.



Great movie overall, excellent casting and I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I did not find it depressing at all, which is a word I've heard associated with the movie often. The movie may be depressing for those under 20ish, but that is only because they've yet to experience just how factual and honest the movie actually is. It's not depressing, it's real life."

Geez! You're Just Turning Thirty

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 08/17/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I sat down to watch "The Last Kiss" one night hoping to find a good reason to keep up with the career of Zach Braff. Sure, he's funny in "Scrubs," and I enjoyed him in "Chicken Little," but I've never desired to see him in anything that strays from straight comedy or animation. After watching "The Last Kiss," I'm still not impressed. The story revolves around four guys on the verge of thirty who seemingly think that whatever you happen to be doing at that age will be what you do for the rest of your life. It's too early to have a mid-life crisis, guys.



Braff has a pregnant girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) and is afraid to buy a home and raise a family with her. In a last ditch attempt to hold on to his youth, he has a little fling with a college cutey played by Rachel Bilson. He later regrets it and goes into one of the longest wait-outs in cinematic history. His married pal (Casey Affleck) is on the verge of a breakdown because he's tired of his wife yelling at him and telling him how much he sucks and how his fathering skills are. Two other friends, one dumped by the love of his life and another who's only interested in one-night stands, are given a lot less screen time and a phoned-in resolution.



When you roll it all together, you get a load of wimpy guys who are afraid of responsibility, unsure of themselves, and desperate for sympathy, love, or assurance. They're a sad bunch of losers.



For a dull evening full of guys throwing a pity party, pick up "The Last Kiss.""