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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Dreamworks Video
Salesrank: 28049
Released: December 26, 2006 |
| Our Price: $2.50 |
| Used Price: $0.47 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
"The Last Kiss" is a hip romantic comedy about life, love, infidelity, forgiveness, marriage, friendship… and coming to grips with turning 30.
Description of The Last Kiss (Widescreen Edition):
A remake of the Italian film L'Ultimo Bacio, The Last Kiss was largely ignored in theaters despite its Gen-X themes and appeal of star Zach Braff (Scrubs), who last made a splash in theaters with his similar twentysomething angst film Garden State. A drama about midlife crises (mostly for people approaching 30, that is), director Tony Goldwyn (A Walk on the Moon) has assembled a top-notch cast, but there's not enough likeability in the characters to care. Architect Michael (Zach Braff) is a commitmentphobe who wanders into a flirtation with coed Kim (Rachel Bilson) because he's gun-shy about settling down with his perfect girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), who's expecting his child. His fellow pals face their own romantic crossroads; one (Michael Weston) desires to settle down with a woman who doesn't love him back; another (Eric Christian Olsen) can't find someone who just wants a meaningless fling like him; and the third (Casey Affleck), ponders leaving his weary wife who's constantly berating his shortcomings as a father. Most depressing is Jenna's mother (Blythe Danner), who's tired of feeling neglected by her stoic husband (Tom Wilkinson). Danner and Wilkinson are compelling as longtime marrieds who've lost their spark, but Braff's character is wholly unlikeable, even aside from his indiscretions. The bright spot is Bilson, in her first movie role, utterly adorable as the sexy college student who's got more parts vulnerability and sass than any stuck in the Other Woman role. There's some fine acting in The Last Kiss, but not enough character development to care about anything they're going through.
The DVD includes a commentary featuring cast members Braff, Barrett, Olsen, Bilson, and director Goldwyn, who all mainly hoot during Olsen's sex scenes and ogle Bilson's seductive dancing. Braff and Goldwyn also imitate Bilson's high-pitched speedchatter throughout, while Barrett educates the cast on the similarities between "the dingo ate my baby" and the O.J. Simpson case (don't ask). It's all the more entertaining compared to a separate commentary track with just Goldwyn and Braff, who mostly drones about the music he picked for the film (Remy Zero, Snow Patrol, Aimee Mann) and raves about the minimalist score, done by singer Michael Penn. And oh, they ogle Bilson's dancing in this one too. -- Ellen A. Kim
The Last Kiss (Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
A little too much for immature reviewers 
2009-08-02 - What are you, 10-years-old? Just because the characters are "all being jerks to each other," (as one reviewer stated) which clearly bothers you, is no reason to down-rate the movie. That's the point of the movie. If they weren't doing that, there would be no story. That's like not wanting to see a movie because the star gets killed or the hero doesn't meet with your standards of behavior. The worth of a movie is, (over)simply stated, if the story, actors, and other elements of a movie were good. You must have hated Romeo and Juliett because the lovers were rash enough to commit suicide. Similarly, "West Side Story." You must have to limit your movies to those that begin with "once upon a time," and end with "and they lived happily ever after." I was amazed that in so many reviews that I skimmed, many of Braff's fans didn't want him to portray a character that had serious flaws. It happens at times kiddies, that's life. If you want sugar and spice and everything nice, stick to kids' movies.
Great!
2009-07-06 - Was in great condition when I received it and it was in excellent care. Couldnt have been any better.
Where Bad Things Always Happen... 
2009-06-19 - The Last Kiss is a movie about a group of people whose romantic relationships are all falling apart. Michael (Zach Braff) and Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) are going to have a baby together, and although they are not married, they seem to be on the track. However, Michael feels discontented with his ideal life because it all seems pre-programmed. So when he meets a beautiful college student (Rachel Bilson) at a wedding, he gets her phone number and proceeds to take her out. Meanwhile, Jenna's parents are ready to split up, and Michael's friends are all going through their own respective woes.
It is hard to care about characters when they're all being jerks to each other. And none of them are quite developed enough, outside of Michael, for them to seem like anything less than stereotypes brought to life. There is the sex maniac who has no respect for women, the unhappy mid-life crisis victim, the insecure but beautiful youth, and the motherly idealized girlfriend.
Boredom sets in.
The best part about this movie is the music, but even that cannot save it.
Pleasant but skin-deep... 
2009-05-09 - ...full of good-looking characters, nice rockish soundtrack, attractive cinematography and set designs...but the characters are pretty simplistic 2-dimensional cardboard cutouts, more "types" than flesh-and-blood original or real, whose development is either non-existent or not very believable (Zach Braff's contrition and learning from his mistake of infidelity, in particular).
This film reminds me a lot of "Garden State" because it suffers from the same problems: interesting topic, weak execution due to shallow character development, and general over-reliance on the soundtrack and telegenic main characters. If it weren't for all the ample eye candy from Jacinda Barrett and Rachel Bilson I probably wouldn't have been able to sit through the whole thing, it's like a slick, trendy soap opera.
Blu-ray: Great picture and audio quality but nothing new added in the BD version compared to the DVD release. 
2009-04-16 - Getting married or even having a child are life changing experiences. Some people welcome the change which is forever but many are scared to know that their lives will change and to what will change to, it's fear that can cause many people to do unfortunate (or for some..."fortunate") things.
"THE LAST KISS" is a film released in US theaters in 2006 and is based on a popular 2001 Italian film titled "L'ultimo Bacio" (originally directed and written by Gabriele Muccino). The film is directed by actor Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost", "The Last Samurai", "Bounce") and a screenplay by Paul Haggis ("Million Dollar Baby", "Crash") and features a talented young cast.
The film focuses on the lives of Michael (Zach Braff) and his girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), a couple who have been dating since they were in college and now several years into their relationship, they are having a baby.
For Michael, having a baby is a big step for their relationship and feels his life has been planned out. Going to college, finding a girl, getting a job, having a child, getting house, marriage and living happily ever after. But he feels that his life has been ho hum with no surprises.
Michael and Jenna meet up with Jenna's parents who have been married for 30-years. Anna (Blythe Danner) and Stephen (Tom Wilkinson) may seem like a perfect couple but deep down, Anna is unhappy. In fact, she's quite jealous with the life that her daughter has.
Meanwhile, his friend Mark (David Jones) is getting married to his perfect girl but for his friends, it's a totally different situation. His friend Izzy (Michael Weston) has been dumped by his high school sweetheart and is having a hard time dealing with it, his friend Chris (Casey Affleck) is having difficulties in his relationship and so he and his girlfriend have a child in hopes that their relationship will improve but it has been quite the opposite. Things are much worse. And for his friend Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen), still living a laid-back lifestyle with no commitments to any woman. But for Michael, having a baby with Jenna is life changing and is feeling a bit scared about his life.
As the friends celebrate Mark's wedding, Michael notices a woman staring at him. While taking a walk, he runs into Kim (Rachel Bilson), a lively college student and the two talk and automatically they have chemistry.
But things start to change for Michael and Jenna. Jenna's mother Anna leaves her father and we learn that she has had an affair with an old flame, Izzy and Kenny want to travel to another country and get away, Chris knows he wants to break off his relationship with his girlfriend but the fact that he has a young child gives him second thoughts. But knows his relationship has to end. For Jenna, it's a shock that everyone around them is having relationship problems and in her heart, she's just happy that things are good between her and Michael.
As for Michael, he slowly becomes tempted by Kim that he goes to meet with her. This is the beginning of Michael's descent of breaking away from his "scripted life" and embarking in unknown territory.
Will Michael realize what he is doing is wrong? Or will he be making the worst decision in his life?
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"THE LAST KISS" gets the High Definition treatment with a Blu-ray release. One of the first things you notice when comparing to the DVD is the amount of sharpness and color vibrancy. Reds come out striking and beautiful, and since the film features a lot of outdoor scenes throughout Madison, Wisconsin, the blue skies, the blue lakes and overall, the colors really pop.
As for the audio, you get a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 which is front heavy and the film is primarily dialogue but there is some subwoofer usage during the musical segments throughout the film. For a film based on relationships, it's primarily an audio-driven film. I didn't recall anything special coming from the rear surrounds but overall, the music really comes out quite nicely through the film's soundtrack and dialogue is easily heard. There is Dolby Digital 5.1 dub tracks in French, Spanish and German.
Subtitles are featured in English, English SDH, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"THE LAST KISS" features the following special features in Standard Definition:
* Commentary: Commentary by Zach Braff and director Tony Goldwyn - A more straightforward commentary by Goldwyn and Braff. Where the other commentary is fun and chaotic, this commentary track is just straightforward, humorous and informative. One of the fun interesting tidbits from the film is during the first driving scene with Braff and Bilson and how they were followed by 40 young hardcore fans of Rachel Bilson's "The O.C." character and were screaming for her.
* Commentary: Commentary by Zach Braff, Tony Goldwyn, Jacinda Barrett, Rachel Bilson, Michael Weston and Eric Christian Olsen - Possibly one of the most lively commentaries with the talent just having fun, talking dirty, having conversations and just having a great time discussing certain scenes. Of course, with everyone excited and talking over each other, it's actually a very fun commentary track.
* The Last Kiss - Filmmakers' Perspective - (2:33) Interview with Producer Gary Luchessi and how he came to hiring Tony Goldwyn and interviews with Tony Goldwynn and how both men enjoyed the original Italian film "L'Ultimo Bacio".
* The Last Kiss - Getting Together - (26:44) Interviews with producer Gary Lucchesi, screenwriter Paul Haggis, the casting of each talent, interviews with the talent and differences from the original Italian film and the US version.
* The Last Kiss - Behind Our Favorite Scenes - (8:26) Tony Goldwyn talks about his favorite scenes in the film and certain differences from the original script and the final cut. Scenes include the wedding scene, visiting Jenna's home and when Jenna's mother Anna secretly observes her husband and observes what he is doing during the evening.
* The Last Kiss - Last Thoughts - (3:29) In this featurette, the cast of "THE LAST KISS" give their thoughts on what the film is about and how people can relate to it.
* Music Video - Cary Brothers "Ride" performance version with Zach Braff Intro - A music video directed by Zach Braff. Featuring a pretty cool acoustic guitar driven music video by the Cary Brothers.
* Deleted Scenes: Around 14 minutes of deleted scenes which include the following extended and deleted scenes. The most notable are the two alternate endings which were filmed. One which features the character of Michael (Braff) playing with his daughter. The second featuring what happens to Michael's friends Kenny and Izzy and similar ending to the alternate ending #1.
* The Bachelor Party Extended
* The Treehouse Scene Extended
* Izzy & Arianna on the Phone
* Chris & Lisa Fight in the Kitchen
* Kim Chases Michael
* Alternate Ending 1
* Alternate Ending 2
* Gag Reel - (2:44) Bloopers for "THE LAST KISS"
* Trailers: Theatrical Trailer - (2:34) The original theatrical trailer
JUDGMENT CALL:
"THE LAST KISS" is a film that is wonderful and intimate film that I really enjoyed.
Typically, there are films that deal with multiple relationships, especially when it comes from the female perspective. What I enjoyed about "THE LAST KISS" is that it delves into the perspective of men and what you see on screen, is an honest depiction of what many men go through in the next stage of their lives. Marriage and having children is never easy. The changes that happen after marriage and children is never easy. Having decades of commitment is never easy but it all comes down to the individual if they are going to be in it for the long haul or if they are going to succumb towards temptation.
One of the amazing lines comes from Stephen (Tom Wilkinson) who is listening to what Michael (Braff) has to say about why he cheated. About being scared and having this brunette come to his life and being attracted to him. But Stephen saying that if you felt that way now, how you can tell it won't happen again because even though he's been married for over 30 years, he still has brunettes coming to him and attracted to him. It's about how one deals with it.
There are just some moments that I know many men who have watched this film and came away thinking, "that guy is me". There are not enough films that deal with relationships especially in the male perspective, so it was quite wonderful to have a film like "THE LAST KISS".
Zach Braff is just wonderful as Michael. Your "everyman" who is like your average guy and he plays the part quite well. Jacinda Barrett, who I remember during the MTV "Real World London" years, is also very good in this film. Showcasing a wide range of emotions. In fact, you learn a lot from the commentary of what Barrett was able to bring to the film. Little things you probably never picked up between the couple in the initial first watch such as the two sitting in a couch and her hand and fingers going near Michael's crotch. Little bits of improvisation that brought out these two characters.
Rachel Bilson builds upon what she gave on the television series "THE O.C.", she did such a tremendous job in her first major film role. And Casey Affleck, Michael Weston and Eric Christian Olsen also do a great job with their roles. Affleck for being the man in a troubled relationship, Weston as a man who is an emotional wreck and Olsen who had to do a multitude of nude scenes and love making in the film. Each did a great job.
And the veteran talent of Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson were well done. I really enjoyed how the film focused on the late-20's or 30-something type of friendship but to also show a couple who have lasted for 30-years, show that nothing is ever perfect and even a long-lasting relationship has its troubles and how temptation can get the best of anyone, despite their age and how long their relationship has been. Love is always fragile and can be made strong but with so many years passed, things change and if you let temptation come in or love not showing its importance as it was in a couple's earlier years, it's a quick way for love to easily be destroyed. There is always a gray area and nothing is truly perfect but it's how a couple tries to overshadow that gray area with their love for each other and trying to keep things fresh and strong and that their is a mutual respect among each other, that is what "THE LAST KISS" tries to show.
As for its Blu-ray release, this latest transfer is probably the best we are ever going to see of this film. The original DVD came with so many features and two commentaries, that it was a jam-packed DVD release. The Blu-ray offers nothing new in terms of special features and the special features happen to be in Standard Definition. So, if you own the DVD already, it just comes down to if you want to upgrade to a High Definition version or not. Otherwise, there is no new content compared to the original DVD release.
For those who have never watched this film and do not own the DVD, "THE LAST KISS" is a film that is worth checking out. Especially for those who have relationship or marital problems, there is something that you may learn from the film. Wonderful performances, a well-written script adapted from a magnificent Italian film and overall, a Blu-ray worth having in your collection. Definitely give "THE LAST KISS" a try!
