Her Last Chance

Kellie Martin plays an addicted drug an alcohol user oblivious to the damage her actions are doing to herself as well as her mother...Her mother is played by Patti Lupone who played Kellie's mom in the series Life Goes On...This movie was well acted and Kellie Martin rises to be the best and the worst in this thought provoking film...for those of you who have seen her on ER, ignore the fact that her interaction and dialogue does not even compare to her presence as an actress in everything else she does...

As she wrestles with sanity and desire in this deftly-paced, cathartic drama, Kellie Martin shows yet again that she can infuse even the darkest character with strength and serenity, dappled with her signature girlish charm. Getting a potent dose of discipline and understanding from her ex-junkie counselor (played with stern compassion by Jenna Elfman) Martin makes an odyssey from spiraling recklessness to confidence and control by discovering the sinewy character she never knew she had. Patti LuPone dazzles as her concerned but misguided mother-- she is never gullible but always faithful when it counts. Jonathan Brandis portrays with aplomb the petulant suburban rebel whose suave facade hides a well of desperation and loneliness. Scenes between Brandis and Martin are eerily scored with a hard rock cover of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love". Not to miss: drug binges masterfully intercut with an imaginary music video and Martin's final dope dreams punctured by a glimpse of herself in the coke mirror!

This is a very mature film about drug-addiction,not like many other movies with this theme.Kellie Martin plays a pretty neurotic girl who gets involved with the thriller-lifestile of her friends and gets accused of her boyfriends death after a wild party.Then she realises that this isn't what she really wants and that she must have psychological help.... One of the greatest scenes is with the party by the swimming-pool,with "Waydown" by Catherine Wheel on the background. I gave it a 9/10!

I liked this movie. Kellie Martin was believable in the lead role, and the portrayal of her struggles with peer pressure was also credible.

I found the plot development about the death of the obnoxious boyfriend (he WAS a stupid, selfish jerk!) and subsequent criminal investigation to be unnecessary and a distraction from the main point of the movie, which was how difficult it is to get and stay sober in high school, while all of your peers continue to drink and use drugs. However, even with this distraction, I felt that this was a good movie.

Kellie Martin gives yet another over the top and clichéd performance as the drug addict teen. This, however is compensated for by her support cast. The average script is played wonderfully by most of the young actors and a catchy soundtrack helps make this movie memorable. Brandis steals the show as the lovable bad-guy who meets an untimely end and the last minute twist is interesting to say the least.