The Last Dance

This is an awesome movie. What a way for Maureen O'Hara to end her film career with this glowing, enchanting and beautifully haunting story.... Albeit this 'made for TV' effort is worthy of high praise, Australian Kevin Dowling's direction is outstanding as are all portrayals. (Check out another of his gems: 'The Sum Of Us'). The story, as reviewed by other contributors, is believable, has a moral tone that makes it perfect for younger folk. The theme demands special mention as many viewers will be in or close to the senior age level: How to accept that there is a proper time to dispose of one's lifelong possessions and pass them on to others who would not only value them, but extend their lifespan, does offer excellent advice.. City dumps are already overloaded!. I was fortunate enough to have recorded this movie on VHS tape at the time CBS aired it in 2000. On the evening prior to it's telecast, O'Hara was the special guest on Larry King Live. Again, just by chance, I was able to preserve this remarkable interview on VHS tape. O'Hara at 80 is full of life, humor and has definite perspectives on her life, film career and the male actors she starred with. Both presentations are part of my extensive collection of 'treasures' now virtually impossible to find and buy. Anyone interested? Contact me at gilturk@shaw.ca ( In Canada) .Thanks for reading.

In this day of fake movies, films dripping with 'Hollywood sauce', violence, etc., I found this film to be quite refreshing. Creators of heart-felt films tend to make them extra-sappy, which also seems to defeat the purpose (at least for me). This movie avoided all these 'traditional' pitfalls. "The Last Dance" felt real to me...not far-fetched. It was simple and to the point. It reflected on things that really mean something on this planet; there was no wasting time on silliness. To top it off, the ending had a nice metaphysical touch (always scoring big points with me). Yes, you really can see good films without having to pay for cable TV. They may not come around all that often, yet the occasional meaningful movie will stick with you. Sometimes less is more.

The style of Maureen O'Hara is unmatched,even today among the best in the business. and there are so many very talented people in the industry. Her classic beauty & comedic humor always has set her apart from others. The Irish temperament,at times,thick accent,especially when angered, her natural beauty, are what set her apart from other women of her generation. She is of a timeless beauty that is so rare these days. I'll never forget her in "MaClintock". I loved that movie so much in my childhood, I couldn't wait for it to come out so I could purchase it,myself.Then, it came out on DVD. That did it. I bought it as a collector's edition. We watch it often. This world has been a much better, enjoyable world with her in it. I am of Irish descent myself,& my family is from Dublin,Ireland, where Ms. O'Hara is from. Though, I've never been, I will always call Ireland the Home of My family. Thank You Maureen O'Hara for all the lovely memories.

I was expecting a ho-hum story but instead I found myself pleasantly involved with the characters, especially Eric Stoltz, who wasn't a lawyer or a plumber, but a male nurse. This could have been very predictable but it wasn't, and I think that's why I enjoyed the story so much. It was great to see Maureen O'Hara, who I might add looks very pretty for her age. Overall this was a very touching movie.

It's an ode for good teachers! It's a film that asks you to slow down and inhale the best scents of life's memories quoting Cicero's line about actors leaving the stage quietly after achieving their best! It's a film that brings to mind Mazursky's "Harry and Tonto" and Bruce Beresford's "Tender Mercies".

The story is great and performances real. Maureen O'Hara in her eighties is really wonderful to look at (compare her withered hands to her great face) and to hear. Her enunciation of spoken English is a treat for the ears.

The film is more of a play on film but the editing is so smooth that you feel one scene weaves in to the next. The film does not stun you but endears you psychologically. The film involved the work of three writers at three stages. Probably Beth Polson had much to do with making the story good for cinema, may be it was Dalene Young. The film is great because of the contribution of three good writers, a charming Maureen O'Hara and fine editing. The direction of Kevin Dowling and the cinematography of Larry Reibman, though not outstanding, was above average.