Dir. Tony Goldwyn, US, 2006, 115 mins
Cast: Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Casy Affleck, Rachel Bilson
Review by Matthew Rodgers
The world sat up and took notice of Scrubs star Zach Braff when he made an auteur of himself with 2004's melancholic indie Sundance hit Garden State. It chronicled the struggles of a disenchanted mid-twenty something through unavoidable life occurrences – love, loneliness, death – striking a chord and finding an empathetic audience. That same demographic are now presented with its natural progression in The Last Kiss, an undeniably adult (which is a rarity in itself in your local multiplex) look at four friends struggling with differing crises on their life paths as they approach 30.
Braff plays Michael, a moderately successful cog in an architectural company with a 'tick every box' girlfriend in the pregnant shape of Jenna (Jacinda Barrett). His dilemma is the age old question 'Is this really going to be it?' which cliché dictates we must all face in our lifetime. In this case his decision is made more difficult by innocent temptress Kim (The O.C.’s Rachel Bilson).
Sharing the complexities of life are best friends Chris (Casey Affleck) who is is barely coping with being a father, and Izzy (Michael Weston) and Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen) both of whom are at different ends of the contentment scale with their situations. Add to the already crowded angst pot the troubles of Jenna’s malfunctioning folks – Tom Wilkinson and Blythe Danner – and you have enough tears and heartache to concoct the most rewarding drama of the year.
The convoluted nature of the previous paragraph is an indication of The Last Kiss's main strength. Scriptwriter Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby, Crash) offers a number of accessible stories across the spectrum by weaving multiple plot strands – albeit in a very uncomplicated way – so that there is a situation that everyone can recognise and relate to.
The realism of the characters' fortunes is the captivating factor for whichever strand hooks you, whether it’s hoping Chris can stand up to his domineering wife or sympathising with Jenna’s innocent party, the impulse to see how it plays out is gripping.
What is primarily an extended episode of your average television drama – warring families and broken hearts – is made compulsive viewing by the strength of the cast. Braff is consistently likeable, so much so that although the script never allows you to condone his actions, a level of compassion is still allowed. Affleck is the standout performer, given the emotional weight of his 'best buddy' speeches and he has the most grounded character. It is a revelatory role for Ben’s baby brother. High praise indeed when Wilkinson is on cruise control, effortlessly conveying his spousal turmoil with half contained tears when a lesser actor would require histrionics and melodramatic dialogue.
Tony Goldwyn’s direction is only notable by its absence. Never intrusive he allows the frames' focus to be completely fixed on his outstanding ensemble cast. Supplementing the onscreen action is an outstanding soundtrack. The obligatory Coldplay track aside, each song is perfectly suited to the plot developments and in some cases effectively, but lazily, substitutes for dialogue.
The fact that The Last Kiss will struggle to find an audience amongst multiplexes swamped with furry CGI critters and endless explosions is almost inevitable but it will no doubt find an audience on DVD. This is intelligent, relevant, character-driven cinema that deserves to be seen.
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