The Last Kiss

This image is rather ironic, given the general tone and storyline of this movie. The Last Kiss follows nearly-thirty-year-old Michael as he has his immaturity meltdown; the one that supposedly most people have when they're leaving a certain era of their lives behind. Well blech. I'm guessing that my disdain for this film can already be guessed....this is one of those movies that I really dislike because I do not like any of the characters. However, even that criteria does not mean that I dislike the film...there are several films in which the characters certainly not likeable, yet I still love the film, such as Notes on a Scandal. In The Last Kiss, Braff's Michael engages in an affair with a brainless college bimbo (Rachel Bilson), even though, as he himself repeatedly says throughout the movie, he is already in love and in a relationship (and actually having a baby) with a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, "perfect" woman (played by Jacinda Barrett). Barrett's parents themselves (Tom Wilkinson and Blythe Danner) have troubles as Danner has had an affair due to the neglect felt from Wilkinson in years past. So basically throughout this whole film I wanted to yell "WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE? HAVE YOU NO SELF CONTROL?" Seriously, there is a point where you can stop yourself from having sex with another person; in fact there are several moments when you can stop yourself from doing that. When you're with someone, especially for as long as the couple in the film is, you should only want to be with that person...if you don't feel that way anymore, there's something wrong with the relationship. I don't buy the bullshit excuses of Braff throughout the film that he got depressed because his life was planned out and nothing was new. What the hell is depressing about that? I guess I'm biased because I'm a planner. I love planning, it excites me greatly. For me, knowing what is coming, and planning for it is the exciting part-the anticipation! I love surprises as well for sure, but there is certainly nothing depressing about the future.
The only redeemable character who I liked in the film was Casey Affleck's character. It's probably because Casey and I have a special connection: I actually saw him playing basketball and then sitting in the driver's seat of a car mere inches away from me....wow, amazing. Anywho, a big two thumbs down for The Last Kiss. Other than Casey Affleck, the only cool thing about the movie was its soundtrack (of course if Zack Braff is involved, there will be a good soundtrack)-the movie is introduced by the song "Chocolate" by one of my favorite bands, the Irish group Snow Patrol!