The Last Good Time (1994)

Director:

Bob Balaban

Writers (WGA):

Richard Bausch (novel)
Bob Balaban (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 April 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A reclusive aging widower struggling with tax problems has a complete change in his views of life as...

Plot Keywords:

Widower | Beer | Tax Collector | Book | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Joseph Kopple
Maureen Stapleton	...	Ida Cutler
Lionel Stander	...	Howard Singer
Olivia d'Abo	...	Charlotte Zwicki
Adrian Pasdar	...	Eddie
Zohra Lampert	...	Barbara
Kevin Corrigan	...	Frank
Molly Powell	...	Dorothy
Jody Wilson	...	Mrs. Wilder
Beatrice Winde	...	Nurse Westman
Burtt Harris	...	Supermarket Manager
Ken Simmons	...	Bartender
Gino Lucci	...	Bus Driver

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 | USA:R

Company:

Apogee Films Venture

Unusual, sweet, humanity affirming movie.

I only tuned into this movie on cable half or 1/3 way through it, so normally I wouldn't venture a comment. However, there are only two, so I will. I'd really like to see the whole thing through.

This is a charming, life affirming movie. It operates well outside the stereotypes.

It's the seventy year old, Armin Mueller-Stahl, who carries the movie. We are all aware of older men, maybe even this old, who charm younger women. But when they are this old they always need to be either seriously rich, or seriously famous and accomplished in movie land, and for that matter, general popular culture. Mueller-Stahl is none of those things -- although he is well educated, thoughtful, and a talented violin player -- a minor artist. What he is most of all though is a really good listener -- and someone who at root is kind and loving -- even if he had tended to withdraw into a cynical and loner shell.

Of course the 20 something (Olivia D'Abo) has to be needy for there to be any chance of even a passing chemistry between them -- but she is. She gets beaten up by an abusive boyfriend who she knows is headed nowhere's ville with his lowlife criminal lifestyle. The Stahl - D'Abo relationship definitely is mostly father-daughter. But after his generosity, and concern, but lack of preachiness to her, she gives him what she knows will be a precious gift -- and it is.

A sweet movie.

(And I'm decades younger than Stahl.)