Zach Braff Stars in Garden State 2? |
Katie Royal reviews The Last Kiss, in theatres Sept. 15.
The Last Kiss hit the theatres September 15 starring Zach Braff as Michael, a 29-year-old, about to turn 30, who is afraid his life has become too predictable. Immediately, the film takes the tone of Garden State, with its recognizable leading man playing a very similarly confused, if perhaps slightly older, goofy-but-lovable guy. It even utilizes his voice-over in the beginning while explaining that he had imagined what his life would be like at 30, and that is exactly what happened. It has all been planned out, and he laments, “There are no more surprises.” Plot The story revolves around Michael and his friends and loved ones, and the trips they all take when 30 years start to wear on them. There is a definite theme of feeling trapped in a situation (most often a relationship) that isn’t making you happy. It gets interesting when each character decides to do something about it. The tagline boasts that “We all make choices. What’s yours?” However, this film seems to be more about how its characters handle the choices they and those around them make. It would appear, however, that little thought goes into the decision-making process of most characters. Michael and Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) are having a baby, unplanned. Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen) and Danielle (Cindy Sampson) speak for only minutes before making out and returning to Kenny’s place for the evening. Anna (Blythe Danner) packs her bags and leaves her husband Stephen (Tom Wilkinson) to live in a hotel, not sure where she will go next. It is not that these are astonishing things for the characters to do. People make snap decisions all the time, unconcerned with the consequences. That’s partly what made this movie believable. Stereotypical Another element of the movie that, regrettably, made it believable were the gender stereotypes underlying most of the characters’ reactions to their loved ones’ decisions. Women feel wronged and they scream and cry. They throw things and make ultimatums. They say things they don’t really mean in the heat of the moment. Men run away from their problems. They sleep around. They stare dumbly at the walls without a clue what to do next. While these stereotypes are bothersome and unflattering, it is challenging to think of real people who don’t fit these molds perfectly. Stereotypes are not usually the most solid background on which to build a character, but they work and seem believable in this movie. Final Say The only part of the movie that breaks the barrier in this credible and somewhat heartbreaking film is the ending scene. While it would be noble if people always did “what it takes” in a relationship, the conclusion to this film seems too Hollywood-esque for most real American couples. Truthfully, by the end of the film, it’s hard to care much how each of these characters and their relationships turn out. Everyone seems unhappy and it appears that whether they make up or break up is of little consequence. As Stephen informs Michael, “Every asshole in the world says he loves somebody. It means nothing." |