Final

I always knew Dennis could act. He just never had material this good. There is no action in this film, about 80% of the film is in one room. But this is a well written, that is well acted. It's not easy to see where this film is going. I can recommend it enough to some who liked a film like My Dinner with Andre'. Not that there is any similarity in story, but if you can enjoy a film that's strongly driven by the writing and acting, you'll like this film. And if you can't do that don't watch this, I don't want you writing a bad review if you don't like it, and possibly turning someone

off.

I purchased this film in 2006 in a bargain bin. I tried watching the film and after 20 minutes I didn't have the patience to keep viewing. It may have been the sets, a hospital room with only a bed. I tried viewing this film at least 3 more times. I then was fortunate to pick up "The Secret Lives of Dentists" with both Hope Davis & Dennis Leary and after seeing that gem I just had to see "Final" and have the patience to see it through. I somehow remembered the film taking place in a padded room but I was very wrong. As I past the 20 minute mark the film just kept getting better until it captivated me. By the end of the film I was hooked. Without spoiling the film I can only compare this experience as a life lesson. I must have patience and I was so thankful that I prevailed because this film has some of the best acting I have seen especially on such a budget. This film as my gift for having a film for over 7 years and finally thanking the powers that be to allow me to see a love story. I wish all Science Fiction films had the intimate passion between the lead actors that "Final" has within it.

Sunday afternoon while channel surfing, I happened into this film in media res, and I couldn't tear myself away. I haven't been a big fan of Denis Leary, but then I hadn't seen him doing much of anything other than making an ass of himself before -- or at least that's the impression I've been left with.

I found myself being pulled farther and farther into this film, though, trying to figure out what was going on, trying to figure out if I'd know what was going on if I'd seen it from the beginning.

In the end, it's a twisty little plot question which is used as the string which draws you towards the two central characters and gets you to watch them. The film is theirs. There's lots of flashing back and confusing people and scenes across time which are effective, but it's the development of the relationship between the two central characters which is the movie. I recommend it.

... but better - thanks to great character acting from Davis and Leary. However, the movie is just too long for what it delivers: a 2 hour, 2 person talk-fest in which nothing really happens.

This story involves a man who wakes up in a psychiatric ward / hospital and thinks it's the future and that he's going to be given a (final) lethal injection. The entire movie is basically about his interaction with his doctor in the patient room and hospital yard.

The only saving grace of this movie is the strong acting performances by both Leary and Davis. Leary is very dynamic and energetic (it's actually very impressive) and Davis does outstanding counterplay as his restrained, even-toned psychiatrist.

This makes them interesting to watch - to listen to. The memory flashbacks also help break up the dialog.

However, almost NOTHING happens in this movie - it's huge talk-fest and the story could have been shrunk to 30 or 40 minutes max. If it weren't for the quality of acting (which induced me to think the movie may get better), I would have quit watching early on. In the final analysis, I also realized that I didn't even get anything out of the great performances beyond recognizing the skill of actors.

If you're a Denis Leary or Hope Davis fan, you'll probably enjoy watching them act. For the average movie-goer, see something else.

Although Denis Leary, the male lead, and Jim Gaffigan, who plays a prominent supporting role, are best known as professional comedians, make no mistake. This is a fine, science fiction drama.

The movie is driven by the dialog and the slowly unfolding plot of a great screenplay. There are essentially no special effects other than the flashbacks, and they are really more a product of good editing. The story is compelling and captivating, pulling you along as the larger plot points are revealed.

I'm sure this movie made no real box office, but it is absolutely worth the rental. Leary is shockingly good in this movie and proves that he has the acting chops of an Oscar winner. Davis' performance is solid, but very demure. One could argue that she had a supporting role instead of the female lead. Although Gaffigan has a lot of screen-time, he does not have much dialog. Regardless, Gaffigan delivers a stalwart and believable performance.