At Last

This movie was supposed to show first in New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina interrupted that. It opened in Shreveport and Bossier City, in north Louisiana, during the weekend of 5 November. I don't know the writer/producer/director personally, but we have a mutual friend, and I've heard some of the story of the production of this film. It's Tom Anton's first effort, has been years in the making, and seems quite amazing to me in that light.

I'm not a big fan of romantic movies, but I rate this one relatively high. It's obviously not the product of a major movie company, but the basic story and overall execution are very good. The leading characters face a very difficult situation and are tested thoroughly. It really is a story of true love.

I really loved this film! At Last was set and filmed in my adopted hometown of New Orleans, before Hurricane Katrina. It perfectly captures the historic, beautiful, and charming city as it was, and hopefully will be again. If you want to see New Orleans the way it is meant to be, see this film. Having said that, this film has so much more to offer than just a spectacular location. It is a heartwarming and incredible story of true love, which is even more enjoyable knowing that it is based on the true life story of the writers and director. From start to finish, the film is well done. The story, script, casting, acting (especially that of M.C. Gainey), music and directing are all excellent. It's hard to believe this is the product of a first time director. Don't miss it!

This movie just ran at the Asheville Film Festival this weekend. It was very well received by the audience, winning the Audience Choice Award for feature film. Excellent location footage of New Orleans before Katrina and while I'm not a lover of romance films, this one is quite good. The plot involves the reunion of former teenage friends who drifted apart after a summer together in Grosse Point, Michigan. Letters written to each other were never received, rather they were intercepted by the mother of the boy, who, as a forty-something businessman, receives by accident the unopened and undelivered letters. The cinematography is terrific and the story has some excellent comic moments.

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.

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.