Last Call

Right from the first frame, Mr. Drach displays his vivid imagination, sparkling style and a splendid sense of irony, together with a socially aware attitude that transcends the usual clichés about age. His film is fun, rousing and a startlingly humanistic look at what might be, if we all shared a generous, more enlightened view of the generations that came before our own.

The look of the film belies its modest cost which testifies to a close collaboration between the director and his cinematographer for intention and effect are wedded seamlessly, a gift to both the film and its audience. Not many short films are able to so quickly make their point and arrive at that point in so entertaining, lively and surprising a fashion.

One wishes for more from such a fresh viewpoint, so we can only hope that this brilliant filmmaker can find the means to continue on his chosen path and that we can join him as he constructs each film signpost along the way.

Have a look and then a second; it's well worth the time. Just be careful with the bubbles.

Last Call is a psychologically unsettling film, confronting as it does that most endemic of human fears- dying alone, or unloved, or at the very least, without the knowledge of what perfect sexual passion can be. Yet it has at it's heart a kind of divine comedy and a loopy, unabashed, even childlike sense of possibility: To be hopeful that, at age 70, 75, 80, love is just around the corner, or at the end of a phone line, is quite a feat of optimism, and this film is brimming with exactly that kind of youthful anticipation. Ultimately, it's an uplifting experience. The performances range from comically absurd to genuinely touching and affecting, the costumes and production design are sleek, sexy and powerful in an octogenarian way, and the cinematography is moody, unflinching, and true to life without ever seeming unkind to it's subjects. Some people will be put off by the notion that 'Oldies' still yearn for love, and remain interested in the rituals and discoveries of seduction and yes, sex, but many more will be wise enough to look down the road at their own futures and find a new empathy and compassion for the 'senior citizens' they see- or rather don't see- every day.

Amazingly perceptive. I think the director must have peeked into the lives of so many of my single friends (of any age). He's captured their sense of loss—not so much lack of sex as the absence of companionship. Just loneliness, pure and simple. And as shown here, it's the lengths people go to reach out to others that makes LAST CALL so poignant and unforgettable.

Insightful as it is, I also found the film's bittersweet realism a bit unsettling at times—like watching a sneak preview of "Sex in the City-30 Years Later." In less-skilled hands, this might have been a snide sitcom or soppy soap. (It's not at all.) From yet another perspective, its surprisingly surreal elements, both in direction and camera work, lift it into that rarefied ozone layer of a classic Art film (in English but with a Gallic sensibility).

Despite the short length, LAST CALL achieves what standard features rarely accomplish in over twice the running time. I was tremendously moved. You will be too

This film won't take you very long to see, but it will leave a lasting impression. It's bright, witty, and reflective of the realities of today's society with an edginess and sophistication that tells you you're in the hands of a master filmmaker.

The actors are fabulous and the script is sharp and witty. The ending is unforgettable. I loved all the little lines and nuances that made it worth watching twice. It's a compact piece that looks like it was fun to shoot and yet has all the impact of a much larger project. I particularly liked the colorful costumes and the way they brought the innovative set to life. I thought the actors were amazing and had the pleasure of meeting several of them at the screening.

I can't wait to see this writer/director's next story.

David Drach beautifully captures the essence of what it means to grow old and grow weary from knowing the body is failing the youthful spirit. The "gang" of older folks in Last Call represent all of us, regardless of age, in our fears, our desires and our needs.

Mind over matter is what Last Call prompts in me, and I for one look at people around me, young and old, with the knowledge that we are all human beings, equal and the same, and yet fiercely individual. Common for us all is that we deserve respect, despite our inevitable demise. This short film makes this abundantly clear.

Last Call inspires thought and provokes emotions and will stay with you for years to come.