Her Last Chance

I guess I saw this movie in 1996 because I know it was when it first aired on NBC. I remember it was a great TV movie. I have always looked for it and tried to find out the name. While at school, I came across IMDB.com and I knew Jonathan Brandis was in it cuz I love him. And once I saw Kellie Martin was in it I remembered almost all of the movie. I thought it was an awesome movie. Two of my favorite actors (Martin and Brandis), what more could you ask for?

As she wrestles with sanity and desire in this deftly-paced, cathartic drama, Kellie Martin shows yet again that she can infuse even the darkest character with strength and serenity, dappled with her signature girlish charm. Getting a potent dose of discipline and understanding from her ex-junkie counselor (played with stern compassion by Jenna Elfman) Martin makes an odyssey from spiraling recklessness to confidence and control by discovering the sinewy character she never knew she had. Patti LuPone dazzles as her concerned but misguided mother-- she is never gullible but always faithful when it counts. Jonathan Brandis portrays with aplomb the petulant suburban rebel whose suave facade hides a well of desperation and loneliness. Scenes between Brandis and Martin are eerily scored with a hard rock cover of Soft Cell's "Tainted Love". Not to miss: drug binges masterfully intercut with an imaginary music video and Martin's final dope dreams punctured by a glimpse of herself in the coke mirror!

Kellie Martin gives yet another over the top and clichéd performance as the drug addict teen. This, however is compensated for by her support cast. The average script is played wonderfully by most of the young actors and a catchy soundtrack helps make this movie memorable. Brandis steals the show as the lovable bad-guy who meets an untimely end and the last minute twist is interesting to say the least.

This movie has good writing, a good plot, but the casting needs improvement.

Everything about "Her Last Chance" is good except for the acting. Don't get me wrong. I love Kellie Martin. She is an amazing actress and is by far one of my favorite actresses. But why would she even attempt at playing a role she is clearly not up to doing? In the past, Kellie has played roles where she is the sweet innocent school girl. (Somebody had mentioned this before.) Alex Saxon, the out-of-control drug addict teen that is sent to rehab doesn't strike me as the character to be played by Kellie Martin. At times she lets herself go and gets caught up in the drug involvement, but she just can't pull it off. The rest of the cast does a terrible job. Where did they find these actors? The only actress/character that I found believable was Patti Lupone who played Alex's mother. The rest could be re-casted without a second thought.

"Her Last Chance" was shown a couple of years ago on NBC and then on Lifetime a while back. I'm really surprised that NBC even agreed to air on their station. (You know how NBC is with their censorship.) Anyway, the filming and shots of the drug usage is really nice because it shows what goes on between teenagers and drugs.

It's a simple movie that has a twist in it to where it makes it interesting. Sort of like a mystery. For an easy-to-follow movie with a good ending, watch this movie. Don't expect too much from the acting department. To see what Kellie Martin is really capable of doing, watch ANY of her other films.

I liked this movie. Kellie Martin was believable in the lead role, and the portrayal of her struggles with peer pressure was also credible.

I found the plot development about the death of the obnoxious boyfriend (he WAS a stupid, selfish jerk!) and subsequent criminal investigation to be unnecessary and a distraction from the main point of the movie, which was how difficult it is to get and stay sober in high school, while all of your peers continue to drink and use drugs. However, even with this distraction, I felt that this was a good movie.