Last Call

I'm a big fan of John Malkovich, love Tony Hale although I've only seen him in comedy and thought Rhys Ifans was legendary in Notting Hill so I was fascinated by the casting of Last Call but I thought that being about a revered poet it might lean towards arthousey pretentiousness especially as I knew it was partly shot in black and white. However, I found this film to be surprising and extraordinary in every way and I loved it. The script is written by the director Steven Bernstein and is beautifully poetic without being annoyingly abstract, it's also expertly directed but unique, it doesn't come together like a typical Hollywood movie, it feels unusual, and the mix of colour/black and white I interpreted as the alcoholic deliriums Thomas often inhabits lacking the colour and clarity of his more sober, vivid moments. The performances by the entire cast including Romola Garai and Zosia Mamet are outstanding; it's a pithy piece full of complicated characters all fighting to survive in Thomas's fragile narcissistic web and requires a lot of acting talent which the cast possessed in spades. Thomas at first glance is a stereotypical flawed genius but Bernstein's words and Ifans' portrayal is so complete, so somehow full of humanity whilst also being clearly monstrous that I was totally enthralled. I have some experience of loving someone who was a slave to the drink and I felt Last Call showed the desperate pain of a rabid alcoholic without making him or those who love him into victims. Last Call is about the life of one man and I'm sure Thomas would have loved it not because it is flattering but because it is art at its best; truthful and moving and really in all its aspects an homage to great film-making.

When it comes to films based in history, Dominion is a rare gem in a sea of monotony. This dynamic film captures Dylan Thomas in a way that made it feel the viewer is actually looking in on the life of the tortured poet. The black and white cinematography invokes a feeling of being inserted into the time period, and thus the viewer becomes a part of the story and creates an interesting new perspective. This stylistic cinematography works hand in hand with the poetic-ism of the script to bring us a snapshot of the poet Dylan Thomas' life. Dominion is a film that will captivate audiences with its unique dynamic and harsh realism of the story line. Furthermore, the cast's portrayal of the characters brings a sense of realism to the viewer, and keeps them wanting more.

I had the privilege and pleasure of attending a screening of this film and I wish that I could award it more than ten (out of ten) stars. Intelligent, insightful, impactful. Complex, compelling. Sensational, stupendous, spectacular. An exceptional concept, exceptionally done. The ovations and accolades this film received at the Rio, Savannah and Arizona film festivals is an indicia of that which is to come for this award worthy work. The writing - the production - the direction - the acting - all tremendous. Steven Bernstein did what the very best do: he positioned everyone involved with this film to be the very best they could be - he positioned everyone for success - he made everyone with whom he worked better than they might otherwise have been.

This movie is pure cinematographic magic.

In 1 hour and 41 minutes, Bernstein manages to reveal the multifaceted Dylan, a rather Herculean feat in and of itself!

A talented poet with rock star status who was self destructive, alcoholic, depressive, a great romantic, a bohemian, an intellectual and a true charmer. With the strength of his words he could easily charm his female audience.

Watching the movie gives the audience an insight to the director's mind; a genius, perfectionist , with self doubt, handsome and a healthy dose of humour. As a genuine master of light and "mise en scène", the movie exudes emotion that is supported by a stellar script.

The absence of colour instantly immerses the audience in the captivating world of Thomas and his depression in the 50's. A number of occasional well placed splashes of colour are very refreshing and mark the moments of happiness and true love as Thomas would like to include in his life. There are a number of theatrical and poetic elements throughout the story.

Bernstein masterfully balances the stellar performances of the six main protagonists.

An instant classic worth of multiple academy awards, it should be used as reference for film, art and psychology schools!

After I watched Last Call I was driving around my hometown and in my mind I played again and again scenes from Last Call, I heard the passion and tragic beauty of his words, and the escalating accompanying notes and I could feel the same gripping emotions. The battles we all face. The knot in my stomach that made me want to burst into tears was coming back all over again as I could understand the universal tragedy and agony of being alive on this planet, of being an awake soul. Just like his poetry. If that is not a great film, I don't know what is...