One Last Thing...

I wanted to rate it higher, but I found it rather average as cancer kid movies go. The movie is actually an exploration of the meaning of life and death and how it affects both the dying and ones left behind.

I felt that, as the two wacky friends of the dying kid used him a little as a macabre joy ride, so the writer of the film took the tragedy of death and twisted it to fit his message on life. The result was a benign slightly dream like experience that kind of conflicts with reality. As in superhero movies, too many coincidences led to the desired result; any one missing and it would have all been a sad and depressing experience.

And what is with the funeral home people trying to erase the smile of dead people? Isn't it better to go out happy?

Bottom line: a mild drama, played well, directed OK, a bit over melodramatic and a bit to fantastic in some places, but hey... it's a drama.

I have to admit that I approached this film with a little trepidation at the Tribeca Film Festival. One one hand, the plot sounded a little like it might come out of an afterschool special; but then again, the cast had Cynthia Nixon, Gina Gershon, Wyclef Jean, and I had heard a rumor about a certain movie star cameo. (Which I won't spoil here.) And I knew that Sunny Mabrey, the only thing I remember from XXX2, was in it. Certainly all of these names wouldn't have been attracted by something pedestrian, right? Right. The IMDb and other reviews summarize the plot, so I won't do that here. (Or rant that the film never got a chance to find a theatrical audience. Thanks, Cuban.) But what I will do is tell you that the writing and the acting elevate this film into something pretty special.

It's not rare to find a funny film. It's not rare to find a sad film about death. What is rare is to find a film that is honest about its approach to death, and that manages to be both very funny and sad. And while some of the laughs certainly qualify as gallows humor, for anyone that has been through something like this, you will appreciate the filmmakers' open approach of looking at all the shades of this experience.

It is a strong testament to the film (and especially the writing) that from the opening scene, you know how this movie is going to end, yet that end is still very affecting. It was definitely more than a little dusty in the theater, if you know what I mean. But the end is not cheap, or manipulative. The emotions that are generated are come by honestly, and true to the spirit of the characters.

I'd especially like to mention the performances by all the actors playing the teenagers. These felt like real kids, who were both terrified by the situation, yet doing their best to get through it anyway they can. A lot of reviews have mentioned Michael Angarano, and rightfully so, but Matt Bush and Gideon Click are also excellent, and the three of them create a really strong dynamic. And there is a killer Wyclef Jean song over the end credits.

I'll also add that this movie sparked more conversation between my girlfriend and I than any we've seen, and that's really saying something.

So buy it, rent it, add it to your Netflix, tell a friend. This is a film that deserves your support. You won't regret giving it a chance.

The concept for this little Indie film - the dying wish of a teenager opening spiritual doors - is far from original, but Barry Stringfellow's strong script as directed by Alex Steyermark (whose only other directorial venture was 'Prey for Rock and Roll', though he has been on the crew of some very fine films like 'Pieces of April' etc) results in a far from ordinary drama. For those who have not seen Cynthia Nixon expand beyond her 'Sex and the City' role, this performance will be enlightening! Dylan (Michael Angarano) is a young teenager diagnosed with terminal cancer, a fact that he shares with his loony buddies (Gideon Glick and Matt Bush) who support him with silly but genuine companionship. Dylan's mother Carol (Cynthia) is still reeling from her husband's death (Ethan Hawke) and facing the loss of the one remaining part of her family is devastating but her strength of character keeps a positive support for Dylan. When Dylan is informed by his doctor (Brian Stokes Mitchell) that further radiation and chemotherapy are useless, Dylan places his desire for living on one last thing...he is on a TV show where dying wishes are granted, and rather than the asking for expected fishing trip with football hero Jason (Johnny Messner), he opts for a weekend alone with supermodel Nikki Sinclair (Sunny Mabrey). Nikki, we discover, has problems and demons of her own and her agent Arlene (Gina Gershon), in trying to rescue her faltering career, advises the reluctant Nikki to visit Dylan in his home in Pennsylvania - for positive PR purposes. Once they meet Dylan is determined to have his one last thing, gains money and a room (a gift form Jason) in New York and travels with his sidekicks to the Big Apple to cash in on his prize. The Nikki he finds is the wasted girl down at heels and though she feels tenderness toward Dylan she tells him to just go home. Dylan's disease progresses to the point of final hospitalization when Nikki re-enters the sad room and changes things.

The power that changes this predictable story lies in the extraordinarily sensitive performances of Michael Angarano, who plays Dylan with a twinkle in his eye and allows us to feel his burden with resorting to bathos, and the always-impressive Cynthia Nixon whose performance as Dylan's mother is the most understated and heart wrenching on film. She owns the screen whenever she is on. The supporting cast is strong (though Gideon Glick and Matt Bush are allowed to become obnoxious and would have benefited from some stronger direction). In all, this is a striking, simple, compelling film that rises well above its premise to become an important statement about death and dying and the power of hope and love and family. Grady Harp

I went to see this movie on the recommendation of a friend and didn't know what quite to expect - was it another 'teen flick' or something better. It certainly was better. It had humor but also some poignant sadness. The casting, performances, photography, all were balanced and worked well. More important, it dealt with the very real heartache of facing the loss of someone dear - something I had faced recently. The story characters displayed very 'real' reactions to the situation - not some phony approach. It touched on many of the questions one faces in this situation - ones that often strain your fundamental values. With all that, there were many good laughs. All-in-all, certainly well worth seeing and deserving of a wide audience.

One of the most wonderful and touching movies i have ever seen. I am not a crier at movies, but this one got me. The cast does a phenomenal job, and despite what some say, have an excellent feel for how to handle the film's dual genre. Michael Angarano does a superb job as the terminally ill boy, and his two buddies Slap and Ricky( Gideon Glick and Matt Bush) are in a way the best part of the movie, playing likable and hormone driven best pals. Cynthia Nixon as the young boy's grieving mother gives a deeply moving performance. The on screen relationship between Nixon and Angarano is authentic and a treasure to watch. I have seen some rather harsh critique of this film, and frankly cannot fathom it.The film splices comedy and drama well, and creates a beautiful portrayal of a young boy's last days around those who are closest to him, and his last wish(ill leave you to watch the movie to find out about this). The song at the end, Wyclef Jean's "Heavens in New York" is beautiful, and devastatingly poignant.