Remember Garden State? I certainly do.
Scrubs star Zach Braff's 2004 cinematic debut left audiences and critics alike enchanted and absorbed by the actor's uncanny ability to replicate the complex wave of emotions surrounding that critical time called "growing up." As Mr. Braff has recently announced his intention to leave the television series to work on films full time, his new film The Last Kiss, an adaptation of a successful 1999 Italian film by the same name, might be seen as a barometer of how he will fare in that wide world. It tries very hard to put a more mature spin on the themes developed in Garden State, but in the end it remains more a frustratingly scattered curiosity than a tightly focused and polished meditation on those topics.
Potentially risking becoming stereotyped into these sorts of roles, Mr. Braff plays Michael, a mopey, somewhat depressed young man inching perilously close to 30 who sees his life as being "fixed": he is seemingly unable to escape the complications inherent in his relationship with pregnant wife Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), her parents (a grim Tom Wilkinson and a fluttery Blythe Danner, who have their own set of interpersonal issues to deal with), and in his job at a local architecture firm. Is he bored? Not really, but the excitement he once knew has all but died out, leaving him desperate for something new. Then he meets Kim (Rachel Bilson), a college student ten years his junior, who, upon Michael's explanation to her of his predicament, pronounces his life "really boring" and who later gives him a "really awesome" mix tape. How droll.
It is in Ms. Bilson's character - manipulative, self-serving, and wholly enamored of Michael - that the film's credulity begins to crumble. As she begins to tear him away from his responsibilities and convictions, we grow to hate her and Michael as well.
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Article comments
1 - Anissa Salazar
While watching this film, The Last Kiss, i have realized many different views of life. One being, will i ever find that "special someone", two- where will i end up in 5, 10, even 20 years from now, and three- how do we know when that person is the right person.
Zach Braff's character, Michael, is played thru the eyes of a depressed man who feels like he will have an enduring life with no surprises. With awaiting a child, he is extremely anxious, frightened, and confused on what the future awaits for him.
I feel like i am in the same positon as Michael. I do not know who I will be with now, next month, or even in the next year or so. I am so sick of currently waiting on the man I love. My situtation is quite similar. I have been dating a gentleman for a good while now, and yet he has not offically made me his "girlfriend," however, we act, talk, and do things couples would do. I have no clue why he is waiting, or what he is waiting for. His ex girlfriend is also still in the picture. With her breaking up with him last year, she now sees we are involed and yes, she is jealous and tries everything to make us stop talking. Yet he lets her... I do not see what he is so afraid of... Losing her... Losing me.. Commitment... the title of us... Getting hurt.
In conclusion, this movie has now opened my eyes, and if things happen, I will now say they are for a good damn reason and probably for the best; on the other hand, I am still confused on whatever happend to Kim's character. Was she just a test in Michael's life?
Sincerely,
Anissa E. Salazar.
<3
2 - SDB
The character of Kim is supposed to be manipulative? PLEASE! I can't believe a man wrote this review. Usually it's stupid women who place blame in the wrong place. It is Michael who CHOSE to cheat and Michael who is the complete and utter scum bag. Bilson's character isn't smart enough to be manipulative. She sees something that she wants and she, not realizing how her actions may affect strangers and perhaps not caring, makes her move. She's a 20-year-old college student. I'd assume a 30-year-old man would be smarter and realize the impact of his choices. Grow to hate her?? I feel sorry for her. She's clueless, and for ONCE, an accurate representation of how a 20-year-old behaves. Guess what! Girls that age really DO make "really awesome" mix CDs featuring super cool underground bands. They don't really have an unlimited stash of witty retorts like they do in other movies and shows.