luni, 3 septembrie 2018

The Last Kiss by Paul Haggis - Seven out of 10


The Last Kiss by Paul Haggis
Seven out of 10


The Last Kiss is an interesting, if not overwhelming motion picture.

Zach Brach does not exactly shine as Michael, there are some bizarre scenes, in which either the actor, director or both make the strange choice to have him wait on the porch until his would be wife might change her attitude, but while the hero is doing that, he places his feet on the door, crouches in a fetal position, sits and takes all the weird positions imaginable for no good reason, except to annoy at least this viewer.

Otherwise, the film has the stupendous Tom Wilkinson in it.
This formidable actor does not make a mistake.

His performances are always Perfect.
It is always a divine pleasure to watch him at work.

Even when the material is thin, like in The Last Kiss.
Stephen, his character has some good advice for Michael, his would be son-in-law, but the suggestions are good for anyone, including the audiences, notwithstanding the near impossibility of applying his stoic philosophy…well, for many mere mortals anyway.

Michael meets a very determined, flamboyant, perhaps somewhat excessive, perseverant, brave gritty woman.
This is Kim and she is convinced that this man, married as he is, would have to become her partner.

Michael is attracted to her, in spite of the fact that his present partner is expecting their baby – which on some levels has nothing to do with the chemistry between her spouse and a young woman…

Michael and Kim have sex, the man seems to regret it and his wife, Jenna, finds out about it and is infuriated.
She throws him out and decides to live with her parents, Anna and Stephen, probably abandoning all prospects of living with Michael again.

Meanwhile, Michael’s friends – Chris, Izzy and Kenny- all have issues and problems in their couples.
The recent Academy Award winner, the controversial Casey Affleck, an actor accused of various vile acts, portrays Chris some of which he has admitted to and apologized for.

Chris is married and he has a baby, a son that would grow in a broken family, given the seemingly unsurpassable problems between parents.
Even Stephen and Anna have problems, although the man has a rather inspiring speech when talking to the younger Michael.

He says that he has Never cheated on his wife.
Even if the occasion had naturally arose.

He is inspiring in praising and highlighting the importance of persistence.
Indeed, one of the key Character Strengths is perseverance:


In conclusion, the feature is not exhilarating, overwhelming or ecstatic.
However, it has merits.

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

Hamlet

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