6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
An odd-but-gifted poet, Evan Merck makes his living writing suicide notes for the soon-to-be departed. So when he meets Charlotte, the free-spirited sister of his latest client, Evan has no choice but to lie about his relationship to her late, lamented brother. Curiously attracted by his evasive charms, a smitten Charlotte begins her pursuit, forcing Evan to juggle an amorous new girlfriend, a sarcastic new client and an ever-increasing mountain of lies in this dark romantic comedy about a quirky young man who can't tell write from wrong.
Starring: Winona Ryder, Wes Bentley, Ray Romano, Gina Hecht, A.J. TrauthRomance | 100% |
Comedy | 69% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
From films that seek to understand it, like The Sea Inside or The Virgin Suicides, to movies that use it as a comic device, like Harold and Maude, suicide has always had an acknowledged but unhallowed history on the silver screen. As a dramatic or comedic subject, it requires finesse in both scope and tone. The inherent tension of an individual on the verge of self- annihilation is easily exploited, hyperbolized, or otherwise fudged by a dull cinematic blade. On the other hand, treat it too lightly and, well, we are talking about suicide here. With this in mind, it’s easy to understand why filmmakers tread lightly around the act itself. Few films broach the issue with the complex solemnity it deserves, and fewer still can play it for laughs while retaining some semblance of humanity. The Last Word ekes by in both categories, supported largely by its mostly clever script and a unique premise that deserves the clichéd but apt tag of “quirky indie comedy.”
"I was a starving writer, doing freelance work no one ever read."
Before The Last Word, director Geoffrey Haley served as camera operator on numerous film and television productions, and his expertise is well exemplified here. Sporting a full 1080p, AVC/MPEG-4 2.35:1 transfer (disregard the box reading 1080i), the film has an inviting cinematic look that exceeds the limitations of its budget. The warm palette, an unusual but effective choice for a film largely about death, revels in bold oranges, reds, and yellows. Textures prove crisp and cleanly rendered with little evidence of over-sharpening. Check out Evan's corduroy coat; the peaks and valleys of the fabric pop convincingly off the screen. Additionally, the grain field throughout has a pleasing dispersion, and only certain outdoor scenes suffer from excessive film noise. The transfer isn't perfect, however. Many characters are outfitted in funereal blacks, and details like the edges of suit lapels sometimes get lost in the crush. I also noticed a few white specks on an otherwise clean print. And while most of the film is suitably sharp, some shots from the rooftop scene appear inexplicably soft, and the whole film could do with a slightly better sense of depth. All said though, the defects in visual fidelity are hardly noticeable and won't take away from anyone's enjoyment of the film.
What this DTS-HD MA 5.1 track lacks in immersion, it makes up in stalwart clarity. Voices glide through the mix with a round, full-bodied timbre, and no signs of distortion or clipping. The aching orchestral score stretches and lifts convincingly. Piano keys strike with somber precision. Though used sparsely, the rear channels do provide some ambience—the clinking of glasses, traffic sounds, vocal pans—and the LFE channel gets a few chances to chug and thwomp during a particularly raucous club scene. While I may not have felt like I was standing in the center of the film, I was never taken out of the experience by any audio inadequacies.
I was, however, a bit disappointed by The Last Word's lack of extra features. At the very least I was hoping for a commentary track by Geoffrey Haley. I would've liked to hear about the genesis of the story, mostly to confirm my theory that the idea struck while he was working as a cameraman on Six Feet Under. This package, however, is the definition of barebones, and arrives with only a theatrical trailer (480p), a smattering of deleted scenes (480p), and a brief production stills gallery (1080p).
The Last Word is an assured debut from writer/director Geoffrey Halley, and I definitely look forward to whatever project he has in the pipeline next. While it flew mostly under the radar this year, the film is funny and moving without going over-the-top in either respect. I enjoyed it, but I'd advise prospective buyers to rent the title first, as the subject matter won't appeal to all viewers.
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