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| Last Night
Year: 1998
Directed:
- Don McKellar
Actors/Actresses:
- Tracy Wright
- Sarah Polley
- Genevieve Bujold
Comic moments and sober reflections as the world ends
The century is ending and so is the world in six more hours in this feature directorial debut from Canadian actor/screenwriter Don McKellar. But as the apocalypse approaches, the characters in this comically morose film spend their "Last Night" on Earth in rather low-keyed reflection about loneliness, relationships and sex. McKellar plays architect Patrick Wheeler who plans to spend his final moments alone, enjoying a last meal. Sandra Oh and David Cronenberg are a couple (named Sandra and David) who have made a suicide pact, but are separated by circumstances as the end draws night and Callum Keith Rennie plays Craig Zwiller, who goes after his final sexual conquests. This film also features Tracy Wright, Sarah Polley and Genevieve Bujold. After having seen Hollywood blockbusters about the Earth colliding with some huge heavenly body, it is certainly refreshing to go back and discover this quiet little independent film. Ultimately the end of the world is a contrivance that compels these characters to get real and what you will remember is the honesty of their thoughts and emotions rather than whether the world ends with a bang or a whimper. McKellar constructs an excellent mood shift as the straight-faced comic style gives way to a more somber tone at the end. This is one of those nice little films that you tell your friends about. "Last Night" is definitely worth an evening of your time and I would not be surprised if you found it provocative enough to compel some deep thoughts on your part after you screen it.
Fearfully funny
Don McKellar is a hidden Canadian genius in my opinion. His roles in Exotica, a CBC series and other wonderful bits of artistic work have made me a big fan.
Last Night is what someone could call an Apocalyptic Comedy. Ever think you'd see a movie like that? Is it even possible to make something like that? Well, it is indeed and McKellar does it with great humour. The funniest scene is he seeing his family to celebrate Christmas, even though it isn't Christmas - people just want to try and have a final celebration.
Then there is the frustration with the brilliant co-star of the film as she desperately wants to get in touch with her husband and she cannot. At the same time, McKellar weaves a dark yet very funny movie. How is the world ending? How do people know this? You never find out. They just do, and somehow that is enough.
I would not say that this movie was "realistic"; people seemed so accepting that the world was ending. They just were trying to figure out things to do as they wait. I found it chilling in that, as I watched it, i was working in a job that was trying to solve the Y2k problem. I can only look back at THAT and this movie with even greater sardonic humour.
With a cameo by Cronnenburg, some great plot twists and stark imagery, this movie is a cinematic work of genius. Of course, since it is also intelligent, the general public did not see it in droves.
A quiet little masterpiece
First of all, I hope you haven't read the Amazon.com review above, as it spoils one of the film's surprises. Second, I would give the film itself 5 stars, but I deduct a star for the lackluster DVD presentation. It's full-frame (not letterboxed) and as for extras, there are none - it's your basic no-frills movie-and-a-trailer. Bleh. (Hell, the trailer is letterboxed at 1.85, why isn't the film?)
Having said that, you still need to own this. Or at least rent it, be blown away, come back here, and order it. Don McKellar has fashioned one of the most subtly moving directorial debuts in recent memory. So many classic moments...Callum Keith Rennie showing his friend McKellar his special room; Sandra Oh's reaction to a message on an answering machine; David Cronenberg (yes, him; great director, kind of a one-note actor, but his presence here is amusing and perfectly Canadian) sitting alone in his apartment eating ice cream; McKellar and his sister Sarah Polley (who deserves more screen time) trying to grin and bear it as their mom throws the final Christmas party they'll never get to have; Cronenberg's employee at the gas company getting drunk and wobbling around the office; Genevieve Bujold saying "Bon voyage" in the elevator.
It's a full package. The movie honestly earns its laughs and tears (I'm not a big crier at movies, but I misted up a few times). McKellar's handling of a variety of characters, and crosscutting between same, should be an object lesson to any filmmaker attempting this type of group portrait (are you listening, P.T. Anderson? A movie doesn't have to be 3 hours long and have characters blurt out their neuroses in order to move us). This is a quiet, understated, very Canadian vision of the end of the world. In 95 minutes it speaks volumes about the variety of approaches to life and death (do you go for the gold and try to fulfill your wildest fantasies? or do you strive to maintain some dignity and integrity in the face of apocalypse?).
Look at this film and look at "Armageddon," and it will tell you everything that's wrong with Hollywood blockbusters and everything that can be terrific about indie films.
Buy Last Night at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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