THE LAST KISS A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2002 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): ***
Subtitles. I'll tell you the dirty little secret that neither side of the subtitled movie debate wants to talk about. Generally it is true that anyone who can read at a junior high school level should have no problem with subtitled films, and those who claim otherwise really are just lazy. On the other hand, there are movies or parts of movies that are almost impossible to follow if they are subtitled. The first act of Gabriele Muccino's THE LAST KISS (L' ULTIMO BACIO) is an example of the latter. While the characters speak Italian as if they were participating in a speed speaking class, audience members are forced to make a choice. Either they stare solely at the bottom of the screen and read fast as they can, or they look at the rest of the screen and follow the actors' very expressive body language.
With what seems initially to be a cast of thousands, the choice of reading or watching is tricky. But, since the actors are so attractive and visually articulate and since the cinematography and the sets are so lush, the better option in this case is to watch the movie rather than read it. Whatever you choose, the result is a confusing blur for the first thirty minutes or so.
Thankfully, the film's later acts slow down enough so that we are finally able to get to know the characters properly, and all of them turn out to be absolutely delightful. Although there are plots and subplots aplenty, the main storyline concerns Carlo (Stefano Accorsi) and Giulia (Giovanna Mezzogiorno), two lovers in their late twenties. Although they are incredibly in love and have a baby on the way, they haven't yet decided when or whether to tie the official knot. Not quite ready for marriage, Carlo is tempted by a seductive high school senior with blonde hair and a killer smile. Will the blonde prove to be one last fling or the beginning of the end of his relationship with the mother of his baby? Giulia's parents are having similar relationship problems as are just about everyone else in the picture.
Increasingly poignant, the story moves to a satisfying, albeit predictable, conclusion. After eventually getting to know and like the characters so much, any other ending would have been quite disappointing. (If you like this film by Muccino, check out his previous picture, BUT FOREVER IN MY MIND, another darling romantic comedy.)
THE LAST KISS runs 1:55. The film is in Italian with English subtitles. It is rated R for "language, sexuality and some drug use" and would be acceptable for teenagers.
The film, which has already opened in most of the world and which played as part of the 45th annual San Francisco International Film Festival (http://www.sfiff.org), opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, September 13, 2002. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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