2008 Woodie Awards
The Last Kiss pleases via honesty, relatability
Megan Gallagher
Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Arts
This was one of the most nauseating and emotionally draining experiences I have ever had in the theater - and I loved every moment of it. Actor-turned-director Tony Goldwin's film successfully explores every undesirable, yet inevitable, characteristic of adult relationships with such frightening realism that I feared that my enjoyment of it bordered on masochism. However, despite the harrowingly realistic dialogue and circumstances, or perhaps because of them, The Last Kiss emerges as one of the best films of the year, and perhaps even one of the best films of its kind.
The film revolves around an assembly of couples linked together via the close friendships of the male counterparts, each exemplifying a variant of relationship disintegration. Adultery, aging, pregnancy, fear of commitment, loneliness, betrayal and mistrust are the primary characteristics explored in The Last Kiss, each likely to feel slightly too close for comfort to any member of the audience who has ever experienced romance, heartache or even personal insecurity. A painful tapestry of truth, The Last Kiss features an exceptional screenplay, containing dialogue that is nearly unparalleled in its honesty and precision regarding relationships - or lack thereof. It never becomes melodramatic or exaggerated, but is always careful to maintain a respect for the delicacy of its subject matter. The characters and situations are universal; they are never sugarcoated, but are rather left open to subjective interpretation and understanding, allowing them to find a home in every member of the audience. The Last Kiss is filmmaking at its finest - a must see.
The Last Kiss is currently playing at area Showcase theaters.
4 stars out of 4
The film revolves around an assembly of couples linked together via the close friendships of the male counterparts, each exemplifying a variant of relationship disintegration. Adultery, aging, pregnancy, fear of commitment, loneliness, betrayal and mistrust are the primary characteristics explored in The Last Kiss, each likely to feel slightly too close for comfort to any member of the audience who has ever experienced romance, heartache or even personal insecurity. A painful tapestry of truth, The Last Kiss features an exceptional screenplay, containing dialogue that is nearly unparalleled in its honesty and precision regarding relationships - or lack thereof. It never becomes melodramatic or exaggerated, but is always careful to maintain a respect for the delicacy of its subject matter. The characters and situations are universal; they are never sugarcoated, but are rather left open to subjective interpretation and understanding, allowing them to find a home in every member of the audience. The Last Kiss is filmmaking at its finest - a must see.
The Last Kiss is currently playing at area Showcase theaters.
4 stars out of 4
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