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The Last Kiss Zach Braff has been hitting the press tours lately to promote his latest starring vehicle, The Last Kiss. He’s spent a fair amount of time in these interviews refuting the media’s claim that this movie is simply Garden State part two. Hmm…
Let’s look at the similarities:
• Late 20-something angsty guy who can’t seem to commit to much of anything in his life? Check.
• Located in SmallTown, USA featuring 4-5 ragtag ‘Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days is my theme song’-type best friends? Check.
• Early 20-something wide-eyed brunette whose quirks and fly-by-night attitude swoop said angst guy off his feet? Check.
• Melodramatic soundtrack that, while highly enjoyable, makes you want to jump off the nearest water tower? Check.
I could go on, but despite the different cast and small town, I think it’s pretty clear that the Ebert & Roeper’s of the world might make the sequel assumption.
Having said that, I didn’t mind this movie. I enjoyed it more than Garden State (a movie that hammered the final nail in the "I can’t stand Natalie Portman" coffin). While I don’t think Braff (as Michael) was really stretching his acting skills (he has the doe-eyed, I-can’t-help-it-I’m-just-confused- face nailed), his performance was solid and believable. His relationship with live-in and recently impregnated girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) feels completely natural. There are some nice, honest moments where it feels like the director (Tony Goldwyn) is catching the two actors in a private, real-life moment.
Barrett, whose last role in Poseidon had me fearing for her post-Real World acting career, redeems herself as Jenna, the buttoned up, yet laid back girl who is probably too good for Michael, the stereotypical "M" is not for Marriage, it’s for Mourning my Freedom man-child.
The supporting cast is strong, particularly Casey Affleck as Michael’s best friend who is going through his own relationship crisis (though I can’t help but wonder if he and his brother Ben are missing a vocal chord or something – that rasp is too much), and Rachel Bilson as the college co-ed who seduces Michael and ultimately illustrates that there’s no such thing as no strings attached. Additionally, Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson (as Jenna’s parents) provide a nice yin to Michael and Jenna’s yang, illustrating how 3—or 30—years in a relationship can be challenging.
Zach may disagree but The Last Kiss does kind of pick up where Garden State left us (remember? Braff doesn’t get on the plane, finds Portman at a pay phone…). While both films lean toward the extreme side of the angst continuum, they do (like it or not) accurately portray how a large portion of 25-35 year olds feel - or at least think they do (cue Snow Patrol song). Is it sad that stereotypical characters like men who cheat or women who crave marriage represent people an entire generation relates to? Maybe, but that’s something I’ll let the shrinks of the world analyze ad nauseam.
My recommendation? Rent the movie, buy the soundtrack (as long as you’re mentally stable and live near NO water towers).
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