jazzpianofunk

Maybe it just hits me more than it hits most others, but I had to add my $.02 after seeing a shockingly low 5.5 rating. I have to assume it's a political response, which is not what I would expect here. The tone of The Last Party is rather democratic in nature, but strays far and away from politics and captures the passion behind so many other issues as well.

Maybe I'm wrong; maybe the negative rating is from those who think this film is too ambitious or too unfocused. However I've never seen so many details of real life captured so artfully, and the best moments of the film are in between the two political conventions. We see glimpses of many walks of life, and Robert Downey Jr. in the thick of everything, interacting in every possible way with them, from feigning insanity to asking intelligent questions. We see black militant loudmouths, ultra greedy Wall Street types, famous actors turned once a year political activists, and stodgy political aides blanketing the convention's inner corridors. And everything gets skewered by the camera and Downey's charming yet not so subtle responses.

But there are quieter moments, like Downey's relationships with his wife and parents, a minute in the life of a talented graffiti artist, a young friend and maybe politician's somewhat eery ascension from flesh to media. And all the artists, musicians, and filmmakers have rational and intelligent commentary on society, told in a conversation to Downey, not to an audience or to the camera.

It all hits you over the head like a frying pan with it's combination of emotion, humor, chaos, and behind the scenes voyeurism. You realize just how much social upheaval was going on during the '92 election year, and how unique a situation it was to have Perot drop in and drop out as a third candidate. Or maybe all the craziness in this film goes on all the time, and the cameras just happened to be there to capture it all at that particular time in American culture. A touching, inspiring, humorously biting film.

You can't watch this film for a history lesson. This was the first I had heard of the Ma Barker saga, but I could tell almost immediately that the facts were way off. And with a little internet research I realized I was of course right. Ma Barker sure as hell isn't the sexy, calculating woman the movie portrays her as, and apparently did not orchestrate all the bank robbing schemes, kiddnappings, and murders that her criminal boys carried out.

But don't expect a brilliant crime drama. The script and the acting are adequate, the gunfights are excessive and mostly unrealistic, and there is a very laughable slow motion death scene. So why did I give it a 7 out of 10?

Because it was damn entertaining. The gunfights are fun to watch but there are some deeper themes that emerge between them. The movie has a strong sense of ego intimidation among it's cast of alpha males, each of whom has his own agenda. And I appreciate the minimal use of swears for the period. The set pieces are great, reproducing a convincing 1930s era.

So watch this film like you would a cult film, and take the excessive bloodiness and ruthlessness in stride with the cheesy ultra serious comments from the FBI man who wants to take the Barkers down at any cost. Inotherwords, don't take it too seriously, just have fun with it. And if you like this, you'll love Serial Mom.