The Last Christmas Party

Director: Julian Carlo Santos and Writers: Kevin Nittolo, Julian Carlo Santos have offered up a movie who's plot is greater than the sum of its parts.

The setting is one Christmas party in which something happens early on. Then the story is divided into three parts with each part giving the viewer a closer look at whats happening behind the main scene at this party! As the saying goes - still waters run deep!

I enjoyed this movie but found the characterizations of the party participants to be a bit unbelievable. And two of the main characters are way too obvious to be "just friends".

When they sent someone out to buy more alcohol before the party even started it's a metaphor for how unprepared everyone involved in this film was. I think I counted about 15 people so it's not really a party, more a get together. Cliches of actors huffing & puffing to show 'emotion'. Someone vomits on a woman's top (spoiler) & no one offers her another, even though she's at her boyfriend's apartment so she leaves? It's so obvious that this film has male writers considering how one dimensional & problematic the female characters are & the only ones who's problems are 'real' are the guys. The budget didn't stretch for stedicams so emotional scenes leave you with motion sickness. Charlie should just put the paper towels down & come out... he's fooling no one. Caroline was the only character played by an actor who was convincing . The cameraman is obsessed with that brick wall. Worst pep talk ever. The do better scene is just ludicrous. I think the only person who had fun in this film was Manny.

I really enjoyed this film - a first time feature-length film from the director. Excellent casting (Charlie, Caroline, and Jun in particular), soundtrack, and filming. It pulled me in and connected me with the characters from the start, and the non-linear film approach to the scenes gave the characters and storyline depth and interest. Well done!

I loved this film. On the surface, it explores the relationships of 3 couples nearing the end of their college years in New York. The intelligent script and fantastic acting however add more layers to the issues. With that comes ambiguity, humour and emotional engagement. This is proof that small budget films can charm and entertain.

If you want a cheery, feel good, Christmas movie then this is not for you. If you are open-minded and willing to sit back without prejudice and enjoy a film then you could be pleasantly surprised. Watching people flirting with indecision as they are about to embark on the next stage of life brought back memories. This was both funny and poignant.