At Last

I saw "At Last" in Shreveport, Louisiana last week and enjoyed it very much. It was great to see New Orleans so beautifully filmed, and great to see a true life love story not overly done. The movie was sweet and gentle where it needed to be and just right everywhere else. It flowed along nicely like a trip down a lazy river with unique and interesting sites along the way. You can just feel that it was made with loving care. The casting was excellent--the teen and adult versions of Mark and Sara were spot on, and M.C. Gainey stole the show as Mark's brother, Earl. You can't help but think that this very talented ensemble must have had loads of fun making this film. I highly recommend "At Last" and can't wait to see it again when it, hopefully, returns next year in wide release. This is one film I will buy on DVD, not only as a keepsake of New Orleans but a wonderful, charming film to share with friends.

I saw At Last at the Three Rivers Film Festival this November and I loved it! The movie is a wonderful adult romantic comedy. Kelly Lynch has never been better and Martin Donovan is wonderful. Based on the true story of the director and his wife(who helped him write the screenplay)At Last takes place in New Orleans and is a wonderful testament to that great city. Finally, a movie that is a celebration of first love and the journey that life takes us on without being overwrought and cheesy. This movie is not yet in national release, but with word of mouth and festival buzz it should see a 2006 release. Please see it and ask your local theater to book it.

I saw this film tonight at the San Diego Film Festival and it was easily the best one I've seen so far. The production value was wonderful - great acting and direction, great lighting, unobtrusive but appropriate music... a great use of the location. And best of all was the fact that this is based entirely on a very true story. It was great to have a Q&A with the couple upon whom the film was based (co-writers Tom Anton, Sandi Russell).

It was simply a very sweet love story that was told in an amusing, charming and romantic way. Again, nods to the great performances by the two leads, as well as that of the brother of the male lead. In fact, there wasn't a single bad performance, down to the 8-year old son.

Great date movie. Very sweet.

The early scenes developing the characters were a little choppy and did not flow smoothly. This did improve and the characters were very believable. I liked the cinematic technique of the scene of early character washing her face then being merged with the later character doing the same thing. This also happens at the very beginning of the movie and the very end. Also look for a mention of the writer/director (Tom Anton) in the middle of the movie. The fact that it is set in New Orleans prior to Katrina is poignant although the tight shots may have masked some of the damage. It shows the circuitous route that life and love often take. I would give it an 8 out of 10 hoping it will get some marketing along with word of mouth among movie-goers. It could be a sleeper like Sideways.

What a great story--and a better picture. Clean, emotional, true to life. The cinematography is incredible and adds more to the movie than can be communicated in words--really capturing New Orleans before Katrina (the scenes in the Cemetery, as well as in the French Quarter are fantastic). The cast is strong, capturing the emotion that goes along with a lost love. I particularly liked the wife (cold as ice, exacting revenge through silence and endless hours of hard work.) The children do a great job, as does the entire cast. Tom Anton does a superb job for a first time director, I look forward to any future movies he might direct.