The Last Word

THE LAST WORD is by accounts a terrible movie. It has a score of 4,8 and only 7 reviews with the most recent for it (July 2007) that gives it a 1 and two that give it 10s so it's certainly suspicious. Last June I finally saw it and you certainly don't have to think like the crowd... I found it good.

Martin Ryan (Timothy Hutton) is a writer and journalist that in the beginning is seen signing his new book in a nightclub when his friend Doc (Joe Pantoliano) is seeking his help because two mob hitmen want to break Doc's legs for no specific reason. Ryan falls for stripper Kiki Taylor (Cybill Shepherd) unknown of the fact that Kiki has mob connections just when he has to write a new book about the subject. As Ryan writes he uncovers various truths and Doc makes him meet Stan (Tony Goldwyn), an influent movie producer that can make his book in a movie. After the book is written the movie is made and Martin will become richer and finally with the woman of his dreams.

The acting was good, not surprising with Hutton, Pantoliano, Goldwyn and Richard Dreyfuss in a five minute cameo. The concept fresh for 1995 and the atmosphere just like the one you find in at least 100 other movies of the genre. Not to be missed if you stumble upon it, and I think that OllieSuave-007 is talking of a completely different movie, so he shouldn't be trusted.

This movie, starring Michelle Burke of "Little Men" TV series, is about a journalist with connections to the mob who falls for a stripper with a dark past. His best friend then drags him to L.A. with the intent of becoming actors.

The movie sounds like an interesting story, but the plot drags with no suspense and action. There is a lack of emotion and intrigue, with no surprises. What is strange about this movie is that we have big stars like Cybill Shepherd, Richard Dreyfuss and Jimmy Smits appear as extras, next to lesser known actors who are the leads. Plus, the movie poster depicts Dreyfuss's picture as the largest, yet, he only has about 4 min of screen time.

I was bored one night and decided to watch this film, as I enjoy watching some TV works by Michelle Burke and Roma Downey of "Touched by an Angel" TV series. But, this movie was, unfortunately, pretty mediocre and dull. I would overlook this one.

Grade F

It´s a fantastic vision of Hollywood's backstage,painful elationships,violence,and different points of view from the three main characters: Timothy Hutton, Michelle Burke and the great dark character that Joe Pantoliano develops here. A mad function that celebrates confusion of life and cinema, not even a bit of fun in the middle of the way.

This movie is sold to you as a gangster flick. Don't believe it!

You are also told to expect Richard Dreyfuss and Chazz Palminteri. Well, they give you one scene each!

There is the merest glimmer of a good film hidden deep in the recesses of "The Last Word" (mis-sold in the UK under the title "Cosa Nostra" - believe me, there is no Mafia action).

A writer is torn. His friend/agent and his movie studio want him to use the most powerful true stories from his newspaper column. If he does not then the film might not get made. His friend may lose his kneecaps (or more) due to financial problems, and the writer may never make it.

The dilemma is that the stories were told to him by his girlfriend. It was not in confidence at the time, but now she does not want him to write about her. And if she cannot trust him not to do so, then she cannot tell him the rest of her secrets.

In a good movie, the set up I have described could have been accomplished in 30 or 40 minutes, leaving an hour or so for the writer to make his agonising choice.

In this very poor movie, the set up takes 80 minutes, and the agonising choice about 45 seconds.

This is not quite the thriller it appears to be in plot summary. While there is some violence and more sex and romance, this is more about Timothy Hutton's ethical choices as a writer. As such, it has some very good moments and fine acting by Hutton, Burke and Pantoliano. The pace is rather slow at first and you may find the ending disappointing, especially if you're looking for shocking revelations. But it's worth seeing.