The Last Kiss 2006

The Last Kiss
2006
Zach Braff
Jacinda Barrett
Tom Wilkinson
Blythe Danner
****1/2 of five for a really interesting movie.

So. It finally came out. I had to see it right away. I love Zach Braff (main character), I love the writer, Paul Haggis (also wrote Crash, Million Dollar Baby), and the preview had me all excited. It was...interesting. In fact I can't stop thinking about it.
Here's a litte synopsis: Michael (Zach Braff) who seems to be in a great relationship with the woman of his dreams, Jenna (Jacinda Barrett). But when Jenna announces that she is pregnant with his child, Michael begins to think that his life from this point on will be very predictable. It isn't long before Michael makes the idiotic decision to get involved with a younger woman named Kim (Rachel Bilson). Anxieties threaten the future of the couple.

What a thought provoking movie. And definately not all good thoughts. I think I was expecting a bit more of a lighter movie and while it definately has it's funny parts, it's a little bit depressing. Sometimes when I see movies about people who don't live fairly moral lives, it's hard for me to imagine that its reality. There is one scene that particulary stands out for me. His girlfriend comes to a house where he is supposed to be and the friend he is supposedly with is there and he is not. Well, his friend is a really bad liar and just says, "He's not here. I dunno where he is. He's not here." And she just flips out on him. She's yelling, "Who is she!? Who is he f***ing with!!" etc, etc. And I just think, really? There is absolutely no other possiblities running through your mind? He's setting up some kinda surpirse for you? He got in a car accident? I mean the friend would have made me a little suspicious, but I can't ever see myself yelling and swearing at someone without knowing ALL the facts first. Perhaps that's how it actually is and I just have the fortunate life to have all wonderful friends and family. But if they had parts that were pushing it a bit, there were definately great relationship parts. At one point 'Jenna' goes to her mom and can't speak, she just needs to be hugged. And I have to say, Blythe Danner and Jacinda Barrett, while not looking much alike, had me 100 percent convinced that they were actually mother and daughter. A friend of mine suggested that Blythe Danner should recieve an oscar nomination for best supporting actress for this role, and while I don't really care for BD all that much, I totally agree.

Yesterday I read another little synopsis for the movie that indicated it basically was a movie about the 'trials' of turning thirty. I wonder if they actually saw the movie before writing that. It has almost nothing to do with turning thirty, it is for the most part about making choices about your life, living with them and dealing with your mistakes. I would categorize this movie under infedelity. Depressing category? Yes. True? Yes.

I wouldn't say I was dissapointed with the movie, I was just ready to laugh more. But I still think the cinematography was great, the music (which can definately make or break a movie, for me anyways)was new and great, the actors mostly impressed me (if I LOVE you as an actor and you can make me hate you, that's just about as good acting as you can ask for), and it kept me wondering right through to the non-cliched ending. Definately recommended to those who can handle vast amounts of the following: graphic swearing, nudity, humour, fairly graphic sex scenes, idiot girls(that's for you corrie!), and perfect scenes set to perfect music.