« End of Faith - Sam Harris
Main
Friends With Money: B- »

Garden State this ain't. Though the only reason to think that it would be is because Zach Braff stars in this film. In actuality it is a remake of an Italian film and Braff did not direct this like he did Garden State. Well, I guess it also deals with a similar theme of the plight of the modern day 30-something but it does it in a much bleaker way without the hopeful absurdity of the other film.

In The Last Kiss, Braff finds out his girlfriend is pregnant and begins to worry that his life will no longer surprise him. At the same time he meets a cute college girl played by Rachel Bilson who is unabashedly attracted to him. Braff's character makes some wrong choices but he doesn't seem to be alone. The film decides to make his fear of committment and life in general a virus that seems to have infected all 30-something men like his friends for instance but in much less interesting ways. But wait, it's not just a problem for 30-something men, 50-something women can get it too so we get a sub-plot involving Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson having some marital issues. It all kind of dilutes the main story which actually has the chance to be powerful if handled properly. But it isn't, even though towards the end it almost does a good job of showing the grueling effects of infedelity. Almost.

It should be noted that Rachel Bilson really stands out in this movie and deserves more work. Plus her character actually rises above the cliched "other woman" by being the most sympathetic character in the film.

Posted at September 29, 2006 05:52 PM