The Last Kiss

The Last Kiss

Directed by: Tony Goldwyn

Starring: Zach Braff

Genre: Romance

Run Time: 115 min.

Release Date: September 2006

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

Having enjoyed Zach Braff in GARDEN STATE, most viewers will eagerly snatch-up a copy of THE LAST KISS to see how far this young actor has come. Needless to say, Braff is still in fine form as far as his acting goes. In fact, the entire ensemble cast is excellent (from Blythe Danner as the embittered and confused wife of Tom Wilkinson, to Michael Weston’s predatory antics toward his ex-girlfriend played by Marley Shelton). But acting needs a strong story, and this is where The Last Kiss stumbles badly.

Relationship stories are often the groundwork for the inevitable “chick-flick.” But here the story is on five men and how each of them deals with the challenges of the interpersonal relationships with their significant others. If this sounds a tad boring, you’re not wrong. It is. But, as stated at the beginning of this review, it’s the strong acting that’ll keep you watching.

The film starts out at a wedding of one of the five, an idyllic scene that contrasts sharply between what the other four are going through. Izzy (Michael Weston) is depressed and weepy because his long-time girl recently broke up with him. He deals with this situation by refusing to believe its over and crying at a bachelor party while watching two lesbians “go at it.” Chris (Casey Affleck) is a married man with a new baby. He and his wife constant argue, and this upsets the baby who cries nonstop. Realizing that “something” has to happen, Chris takes the plunge and leaves his wife. Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen) is the penultimate bachelor, working at a bar and getting laid on a regular basis. He can’t (or won’t) commit to anything resembling a relationship. Then there’s our main character Michael (Zach Braff), who’s been involved in a three year relationship with the perfect girl (who’s also pregnant now). He’s worried that his life is over, that nothing more is in store for him. No more surprises. His life is laid out for him. Until...

Michael meets up with a sexy college co-ed named Kim (Rachel Bilson) who takes an immediate liking to him. The forbidden fruit dangles in front of Michael and one night he decides to pluck it, forgetting that this might permanently damage his three year relationship with his probable future wife. And, of course, it does do serious damage. Can he fix it? Are there still surprises left for Michael? Or should he reserve his life to that of commonality?

And this is basically the entire premise of the flick. Although “interesting” it most certainly isn’t engaging to ponder (at least not from a “guy” standpoint).

Relationship stories are just too blah! to keep being resurrected time and again, and this is why The Last Kiss falters so badly. If it weren’t for the stellar cast, this one would easily be forgettable and nearly unwatchable. But as it stands now, it’s just barely worth your viewing time.