Last Exit

Against a gritty urban landscape, Last Exit follows a single day in the lives of Beth Welland and Diana Burke, two mothers following two seemingly different paths. Beth (Kathleen Robertson) is a single mother to Benji, a young boy confined to a wheelchair and their cramped apartment overlooking an expressway. While Beth seems to take it all in stride, a growing desperation lurks beneath her sunny disposition. For Diana (Andrea Roth), a married mother of two with a highly successful career in advertising, life is all about keeping everybody else happy amidst the growing anxiety that she may be in over her head. In the oppressive heat of an urban summer, the lives of these two women have violently collided. And, as police officers race to their uncertain rescue, parallel flashbacks gradually bring the shards of a shattered puzzle back into focus, providing the truthful and deeply unsettling causes for the tragic effects. What ensues will change both women, together with the people they love, completely and for the rest of their lives. The film had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I found myself deeply changed by the experience. Beth and Diana's struggle stayed with me for days and more than once, and had a profound impact on my attitude and actions when I'm behind the wheel. If you've ever experienced the frustration of daily commuting through a congested urban centre, you will relate. Last Exit is a definite must-see.

Excellent acting by the two female leads. Sharp tension throughout. Ironic intersection of chance occurrences that is totally believable even if it is plot directed. Surprises and twists where least expected. Flashbacks and forward flashes that don't detract. Shocks that are the least shocking aspects of the fast paced movement. Strength and weaknesses in all the main protagonists. All of this in a made for TV movie. A superb plot, so well shot, so well thought through. The last made for TV movie that comes to mind that was on par for such quality all round - Duel by Stephen Spielberg. This movie is more than its parts and its final moments sum up the lack of answers that fate has for people, strong women, weak men, dependent children as the case may be .... this is a film which entertains while raising questions - most of which are never answered ... and the answers provided are almost all inadequate. Tragedy is a follower of the various individuals, parents, children, bosses, underlings ....but no one necessarily realizes or acknowledges what their lives are or what it may become. When the consequences of their actions take root, the results are not necessarily what are expected, for the various participants, and for us.

In a big city, Beth Welland (Kathleen Robertson) is a divorced woman working as secretary in a law firm having problems with her boss and also financial difficulties to raise her ten year old handicapped beloved son Benji. On the day of Benji's birthday, Beth's life is completely affected when she is cut up by the executive Diana Burke (Andrea Roth) and misses the last exit in a highway, arriving late in her job. Meanwhile, Andrea is under pressure, depending on her presentation to an important client to be promoted in the company where she works, but having family problems at home, with her unemployed husband, two teenagers and a secret pregnancy. This incident early in the morning together with the stressed situations along their day will entwine and affect their lives and destinies.

I like to discover good low-budget unknown movies and "Last Exit" is one of the best I have recently seen. Living in a big city, driving every day, my daily life is no different from the two lead characters – I have problem with the violence in the traffic, being aware most of the time to avoid car hijack, at home, in my work; therefore, I have had a great identification with Diana and Beth regarding a hard day in a big city. The non-linear screenplay disclosing the parallel bad day of the two ordinary women is intriguing and suspenseful, holding the attention of the viewer until the very last scene. I only know the good "Ginger Snaps" from the director John Fawcett, but based on the sample of these two movies he seems to be a promising professional. Kathleen Robertson and Andrea Roth are awesome, developing human and totally credible characters. In the end, "Last Exit" is surprisingly refreshing and great and highly recommended. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Última Saída" ("Last Exit")

"Last Exit" is a fantastic little film that details the events of a day in the life of two very different women, whose days become inexplicably intertwined simply because of a little bit of road rage. Kathleen Robertson plays Beth Welland, a lovely young woman raising a son who is in a wheelchair, and dealing with the pressures of every day life. Andrea Roth is Diana Burke, a well-to-do woman with troubled teens and a distant husband, though she seems to be doing good for herself at work, until this fateful day.

Kathleen Robertson proves that she is a fantastic actress with the complex Beth, such an amazing performance. Andrea Roth also gives a great performance. Supporting them are Linden Ashby as Diana's husband Scott, Ben Baas, giving an amazing performance as David the father of Beth's son, and Noah Bernett, who plays Beth's son.

"Last Exit" may be a TV movie, but it doesn't seem like it, far exceeding the usual formula of tele-movies, and featuring a great story-telling sequence, with the shocking climax being shown at the beginning - then flashing back, because the events that take place during these women's day are so interesting, you're compelled to watch.

I think not only drivers (especially reckless ones) can benefit from watching "Last Exit", but almost everyone, for while driving is a major part of the film, the real-life issues and dilemmas the women face can be applied to almost anyones life. Well done to all involved.

This is a must see film all about road rage and the causes and sometimes dire results. We read about these in the papers but this movie really spells it out. Much more suspenseful than CRASH. The two ladies in the leading roles couldn't have been better choices. Both Kathleen Robertson and Andrea Roth are spellbinding. They are superb and yet only play the final scene together and that is brief. Rounding out an excellent cast are Ben Bass as Robertson's hubby and Linden Ashby as the husband to Miss Roth.

You find yourself deeply involved with their personal and professional lives. And you care for both of them. The entire movie keeps you in your seat until it ultimately ends in the final crash scene. I was thoroughly taken with this. I also liked the young boy, Noah Bernett, who played the son to Robertson in a wheel chair.

There's plenty of dramatic moments and even some comedic moments, Robertson chasing the delivery boy through the park. But mainly it's a lesson for all of us to learn about road rage. You must see this. Thanks also goes to the writing by Russ Cochrane and superb direction by John Fawcett. Bravo.