The Last Passport

I really didn't know what to expect out of this little film, but I had heard good things about it. It started off a little slow for my taste, until it took some surprising turns that me aware that I was watching a very deep film. It reminded me a little of The Twilight Zone shows, but it was much more complex in the characters. I kept thinking I was watching my grandfather and what it would be like for him to sit in a passport office.

The ending was something that made we want to watch the film again, since there were so many little details that got through the cracks on the first time. We need more of these types of films. Yes, its no Hollywood type film, so if your looking for that then I would not go see it. If your looking for rich in story, then this little flick has plenty of that.

The notion of waiting in line for a passport has horrified us all. But this movie had me ready to run down and apply on the chance that I might meet such interesting people.

The setting is elegant in its simple boxy form. The drab colors reflect the feel of a public office. One can almost smell the musk and the disinfectant.

The characters are unique yet seem to fit together like puzzle pieces.

Molded together with a simply premised plot, the film captures the worldly thoughts and trials of the common man, and a old fella with goodly advice. A recommend this film.

This is a great little film that captures perfectly the phenomenon of interminably waiting in line at some bureaucratic government agency and inevitably baring your soul to the complete stranger sitting next to you , who you will never see again. The characters in the movie encompass just about every bizarre, stressed out, nerdy, dangerous, goofy person you might run into in this situation. I am in love with the older gentleman George, the sage of the film, who gushes wisdom and compassion and good old southern charm to anyone who happens to sit next to him. If you have ever been left to wait for hours on end and have let your mind wander to a surreal world where anything might happen, you should see this film! For the minuscule budget and extremely short shooting schedule I give this movie a 10! It goes back to a time when you watched a movie for a compelling story not for the special effects and extravagant sets.

This would make an excellent stage play. It's so eloquently written with its wonderful take on life's foibles and insecurities. The lead is what makes this film with his scholarly take on life. And yet the film doesn't take itself 100% seriously. After all, life often makes us shake our head in comedic disbelief. The ending is truly worth waiting for and exhibits a real crispness and surreal clarity. There is enough in this film to lead to different interpretations; and that is exactly what makes The Last Passport such an enjoyable viewing. It does have a David Mamet kind of feel to it. While most of the acting is quirky, some is truly heartfelt!

A jewel of a little story done on a shoestring that brings to life precious nuggets of humanity that can come to light just waiting in a passport office. Jimmy Hager's character interacts with an endless stream of interesting characters coming thru the door and he affects each of them in different but positive ways. Is he an angel?.....you have to watch the ending to find out. Comic relief provided by Dave Blamy is a welcome pace changer.

The way in which this film was made proves that huge budgets are not necessary if the story is sound and interesting. Set only in a believable passport office and done in 30 days, from script to post, it is probably unique and in a class of film of its own.