Review: The Last Kiss

First of all, go rent or buy this movie, right now. It's out on DVD.

Second, this is not a shitty romantic comedy. This is not a shitty romantic comedy. This is not a shitty romantic comedy. This is not a shitty romantic comedy.

However... It has romance. It has comedy. It's a great movie. Now, on with the review.

---

This is a remake of an Italian film from 2001, released late in 2006. I watched this movie because I kept seeing previews for it on the TVs at Circuit City and I thought it looked somewhat interesting, despite the fact that I thought Zach Braff was a douche bag. Don't ask me why I thought he was a douche bag, I have no explanation other than that he just has that douche bag look to him. You know what I mean, he's the kind of guy who you look at, and for some reason unexplained, you just think to yourself, "God, that guy is such a douche bag".

Anyway, the plot of the film centers around a 30-something couple, Michael (Braff) and Jenna (Jacinda Barrett). They have a great relationship and although they aren't married, they have a child on the way; Jenna is about 10 weeks pregnant. The major conflict is that although Michael is happy with Jenna, he's going through the usual 30-something turmoil of knowing exactly what's going to happen next in his life, and this is what leads him to chatting with Kim (Rachael Bilson), who he meets at a friend's wedding reception.

The chemistry between Michael and his girlfriend Jenna is convincing, but it's taken for granted that the two are a couple in love, and serves more as a background relationship. The Last Kiss truly shines with the chemistry between Zach Braff and the persuasively beautiful Rachael Bilson, who has had a few minor roles, most notably her part on the TV show "The O.C." This is really a breakout film for her; Bilson's acting as the irresistibly sweet, younger college student is so amazingly convincing that I found myself shouting at Zach Braff's character, Michael, while watching the movie-- I felt like some kind of stupid old woman screaming during a horror movie, "Don't go in the dark room! He's going to stab you!". That was me. For the whole movie. I have no shame. Laugh. Go ahead. You'll do it too, I promise. Just watch the movie and try not to. Seriously. Do it.

"Don't talk to her! Don't give her your phone number!
You fucking idiot, don't talk to her after work, or at all, ever!
RUN AWAY! RUN FAR, FAR AWAY FROM THE HOTTIE!"

Pathetic as it may seem, I found myself screaming this throughout the entire movie because I knew that, if I was in Michael's position, I would certainly have fallen for Kim; she's perfectly flirty and surprisingly forward with her advances, yet, she pulls back at just the right time, perpetuating the attraction. Watching Michael as the ball of yarn was dangled in front of him was saddening, because it sparked the realization that such a small, fragile, yet beautiful thing is the fall of every man.

During one rainy scene, Kim's shirt gets wet. Michael is a gentleman and says that she will not have to worry about him trying to sneak a peak at her soaked white blouse, to which Kim responds,

"...but, I'd be disappointed if you didn't look..."

Resist that, I dare you. Don't get me wrong, Bilson's character Kim is not entirely to blame for the ordeal, but the piece is so extremely well played that it's impossible for it to not be the most memorable part of the film. I'm hoping to see Rachael Bilson in quite a few more roles in the next few years, put her on your "rising talents" list.

Beyond the interactions of Michael, his girlfriend Jenna, and the side project, Kim, there are multiple other story lines that deal with the actions of supporting characters. Three of Michael's friends all have excellently written, unique backgrounds and issues, and each of them works out their own problems while still interweaving with the main Michael-Jenna-Kim storyline. The same is true for the relationship between Jenna's mother and father, who have a visibly deteriorating 30-year marriage. The part of Jenna's father is played by Tom Wilkinson, who does a great job of playing a father who has been made stern by his own relationship with his wife. There's a particularly good scene between Braff and Wilkinson, where Jenna's father both scolds and comforts Michael after learning about his would-be son-in-law's actions.

The most satisfying part of this movie is that for each of the many different conflicts between all of the vastly different characters, there is never a single easy solution to any of the problems. Whether things work out or implode, each character's struggle is boldly displayed throughout the movie, and all decisions are difficult.

The Last Kiss is a fantastic movie. The comedy is sparse, but fitting and punchy. The romance is great, and the drama is superb. Altogether a great experience and an amazing look into the troubles and triumphs of couples of all ages.

Highly Recommended.