Written by Hombre Divertido
It’s certainly difficult to write something that is sure to anger pubescent girls throughout the world, but this Last Song should have never been sung.
So trite and one-dimensional in storytelling and performances is The Last Song, a 107-minute outing from Offspring Entertainment and Touchstone Pictures that hit theatres on March 31st, one might think it is a cheeseball teen flick from the eighties. Unfortunately there are no laughs here, no fun, no depth, and no enjoyment.
In a screenplay from Nicholas Sparks & Jeff Van Wie, based on the novel by Sparks, we meet seventeen-year-old Ronnie (Miley Cyrus), who is being forced to spend the summer on the beautiful Tybee Island with her father with whom she has been angry since her parents divorced three years ago. Little or no introduction to our characters is provided. We simply learn of Ronnie’s anger by her pouting which Cyrus has mastered and evokes throughout the film.
Ronnie establishes relationships in ways that only happen in movies. She shows her emotional unstableness by overreacting to the plight of a nest of unhatched sea turtles, displays an inconsistent caring for her little brother (an underutilized Bobby Coleman), and falls in love with Will (Liam Hemsworth), the rich volleyball-playing hunk. He is then forced to deal with the unstable Ronnie who, along with the previously mentioned issues, also struggles with being a gifted pianist who has been accepted to Julliard.
Sigh, poor Ronnie.
The saddest part is that there was potential here. Had some time been invested in developing the story and characters, rather than simply turning this into a Cyrus vehicle which she is not yet ready to drive even though every turn can be seen from miles away, a decent product could have been delivered.
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Article comments
1 - Tiffany
I guess a movie reviewer will write through the lens of his/her values.
I have read a review of this movie on Catholic Exchange which gives it a thumbs up.
In case readers get the wrong impression of the movie, let me state the plot here - no spoilers, though. :)
Firstly, it's based on a romantic novel. The premise is based on Ronnie being sent away from Manhattan to be with her father who is estranged from the family due to divorce. To spite her father, Ronnie refuses to play the piano, who used to teach her piano.
Her anger is her defense mechanism to survive divorce. In the movie you will see that Ronnie is kind to certain other people despite her rage at others.
Despite her anger, she doesn't turn to alcohol, drugs and sex.
At the end, Ronnie grows out of her anger and falls in love with a decent guy.
Go ahead and watch the movie and you decide if it's worth it.
2 - Krystal-Elise Stevens
Disappointed in the reviews, it the best movie to hit aussie cinemas in years! fantsastic movie, so good you can watch it time and time again! Yes there are tear jerkers, and lots of laughter-had the whole cinema room in laughter when i was there, and a good messages which are displayed throughout the film include; Hope, Friendship, Forgiveness and 2nd chances, Joy and of cause LOVE, which is a great message to send to viewer
I heard people are refusing to go to it because Miley in it, just forget shes in it, and watch the trailer, I can guarantee you be left with tears and laughter. 5 star rating for this movie
3 - mfan
I totally agree that it is a film that is rewatchable. The director did a good job of adding depth, which I don't think the above reviewer noticed. Funnily enough, Miley the end sequence says the exact opposite of the film reviewers opinion, which maybe he didn't agree with, but is funny when compared with his conclusion. I wonder if he did that on purpose? :) I think people should watch this movie twice! They will have a good time.