Last Night | Jessica Booker, Geneviève Bujold

Last Night | Jessica Booker, Geneviève Bujold | Thought provoking, sad and funny

DVDs:

Last Night

	Last Night Jessica Booker, Geneviève Bujold Lions Gate, 2003 average customer review:based on 43 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 08/19/2003

Last Night

The Canadian film, "Last Night" is a speculative (rather than 'science') fiction based on the single premise that it is understood by one and all that the end of the world will occur at precisely twelve, midnight. The actual cause of the end remains unspecified: it is merely a given fact. Filmed in Toronto (although the locale is unnamed in the story) everyone is going about the business of conducting their last affairs. People are having family "Christmas" dinner parties, although it isn't Christmas. Some people are attempting to realize their fondest sexual fantasies. Other people are getting drunk or stoned, or are creating disturbances in the street - overturning abandoned cars or smashing things. A super-loyal employee at "the Gas Company" is individually calling clients to assure them that the company will attempt to maintain service right up to the end. One of the central characters of the story is the wife of the gas company man, trying to find out why he hasn't come home to take his part in their suicide pact, scheduled for midnight. With her car additionally vandalized, she can't get home, and still can't reach her husband. She seeks the help of one of the few, seemingly rational people she encounters. He has plans of his own, hoping to wait out the remaining hours in his own home, surrounded by his own familiar possessions. He is reluctant to help the woman, but gradually softens his attitude about his own reclusiveness. The story unfolds, as they fall in love in the last minutes of the world...
The film is totally gripping.

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Thought provoking, sad and funny

As a Sci-fi and action fan, I expected Last Night to be full of survivalist fights and savagery. The movie had a bit of that, but for the most part, it was how different people were facing the last 6 hours on earth. The movie starts out with Sandra (Sandra Oh), picking up some food and wine at an abandoned store in Toronto. Her car gets flipped by a mob and she is forced to walk across town to home. Strangely, there is not quite the havoc one would expect (like the LA riots). Tired and frustrated, she rests outside of the apartment of Patrick (Don McKellar) a cynical man who just left his family's mock Christmas party. Patrick lets Sandra use his telephone and eventually agrees to help her get a car so she can die with her husband. He seeks the aid of two friends for the use of a car. One is too busy giving his first (and last) piano recital. The other friend is a make-out man dedicating his last days to every sexual encounter possible. Patrick visits the make-out man, just in time to meet the make-out man's latest lover: his former high school French teacher. But, no one judges anyone as it is the final few hours on earth. The make-out guy is reluctant to give up one of his 3 cars as it is important to his image. But, he finally finds it in his heart to help out. The movie goes on like this. Everyone is facing their final few hours in a pretty civilized for the most part. I liked some of the dialogue and comments. Eg. "Why does everyone feel sorry for children? They haven't done any living, yet." The filming was not the greatest, but if you looked at it like a stage play it is quite brilliant and entertaining. Great sound track with top music from the 60's and 70's. I really liked Sandra Oh's character and in my humble opinion, think that she made the movie. Even though I am not an artsy, drama fan, I would watch this movie again.

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Dark movie

I really enjoyed Last Night but I think it should be carefully noted that this is very, very dark. Seriously depressing. I've seen this listed as a Black Comedy and I think that is misleading. While there are a few comic moments, this is absolutely a Drama film. Excellent showings from Don McKellar, Sandra Oh and Callum Keith Rennie.

a hidden gem..

you may have missed this movie when it came out several years ago. Now is your chance to watch it. It's the end of the earth (that is the basic plot), but what is interesting is how the many characters in this film react to this fact, and how they try to find meaning in the closing moments of their life. The cast is outstanding, the screenplay is sharp.

Sarah Polley and David Cronenberg (yes the director) and the other actors give great performances- the sub-plot weaves in and out of several characters as they interact with one another and try to tie up the loose ends of their lives before the end.

This movie also has the added benefit of making the viewer appreciate the value of his/her own life and enjoy each moment to the fullest.

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It Makes You Think But....

Interesting movie to watch. I gave it four stars because any movie that makes you think about the subject matter is a good movie in my book. This movie does this. However, the one thing I have a problem with in this movie are the songs played on the radio to the people facing "the end". Would this REALLY happen? What heartless DJ would play songs to their certainly depressed sad listeners like "the last song" and "I didn't get to sleep at all". Is that helping anyone? Seems to me they would play upbeat songs like "joy to the world" or Van Morrison's "Moondance". The music they played on the radio was the only thing I found NOT believeable in this film. No DJ in their right mind would play alot of music they played on the earths "last day". The titles of songs SEEM to fit, but in reality they do not. As the Titantic was sinking, the band DID NOT play "the death march", they played upbeat music. Other than the music, a good film that makes you think.

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