The Last Right

The Last Right: Daniel Murphy (Michael Huisman) is flying home from the US to attend his mother's funeral when it turns out the guy next to him Padraig Murphy (Jim Norton) is bringing his brother back to Ireland to bury him. The quirkiness of this serious comedy kicks in right away as Padraig dies on the flight and has named Daniel as his next of kin. It looks as if Daniel has talked his way out of this quandary and he makes his way to Clonakilty where his brother Louis (Samuel Bottomley) lives. Louis is an autistic teenager still at school and Daniel will now be responsible for him. The corpse of Padraig follows Daniel (via the Garda) and at Louis's urging he agrees to transport the body to Rathlin Island, at the very other end of the Island of Ireland. A road movie ensues as Daniel and Louis are joined by an eccentric mortician, Mary (Niamh Algar) in their journey.

There are perhaps too many odd characters in the film as a Detective Superintendent (Colm Meaney) sets off in pursuit of the trio after a misunderstanding with a pellet gun results in them being perceived as a criminal gang. Serious relationship questions are teased out as Daniel wants Louis to move to the USA but Louisa doesn't wish to lose his girlfriend. An awkward, troubled affair starts to develop between Daniel and Mary. There is no stereotyping of Autism and though Rain Man is referenced it is used to develop a conversation on how there are many points on the spectrum and Louis is an individual with his own strengths. There is also a major plot reveal which influences the viewers understanding of the narrative.

A solid drama/comedy written and directed by Aoife Crehan. 8/10.

I loved this quirky road movie. As with lots of fiction, once I suspended shades of disbelief (as when the elderly Padraig Murphy, who is transporting his dead brother on the plane from the USA to Ireland for burial, dies on the plane, but before he names the passenger next to him, coincidentally called Daniel Murphy (Michael Huisman), as his next of kin), I relaxed into the mould of the film. The acting is very good throughout. Daniel's "brother" Louis (Samuel Bottomley) sensitively portrays an autistic personality and the plot is peppered with comic vignettes including the bonny and clyde scene with the impetuous Mary (Niamh Algar) and the toy gun at a take away. There are magical landscape scenes along the way, some probably done with drones. Overall a hilarious, entertaining and touching movie.

I don't think this is much of a comedy, though there are definitely smile worthy scenes and moments and the entire plot is rather absurdly enjoyable. It is a touching little oddball movie that is quite a pleasant ride, literally and figuratively. The cast is also good, particularly the three leads. I had never heard of it before stumbling upon it, but I'm glad I did.

Though Samuel Bottomley is not autistic, so far as we know and does not have the same traits as Louis, he portrays and is portrayed in a positive light and it tackles the inherent ablism of society. Though we see a Temple Grandin poster, who though in some circles lorded suggested that a cure should be found for those with higher level support needs that herself which is problematic, he says that no autistic person is the same and there is a narrative about how he should get to decide his future even if he is scared of things others aren't and living alone may be difficult and passing school so also, he still get to live his own life. He isn't seen as babyish but a guy with different needs. Big thumbs up for that aspect. Then we have the awesomeness that is the twisty and turny plot, Colm Meany's face and the differing perspectives and heart rending moment which will make you cry. Mary is a character who is well matched to Louis and Daniel bringing out their beauty and complexity and can be compared to them in this regard too. No character is without a role or some form of basic personality and everybody's morals are on show. Its indie, funny, sweet and a worthwhile watch.

Very enjoyable film from start to finish, beautifully written.