Steven G
Absolutely brilliant, talented cast make this story.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
07/26/23
Full Review
Frances H
In the final summing up, what's in a life? Drama, dreams, experiences, relationships, family and friends. Life is what we make of it, and looking back on it all at the end of it is key. And as the character of Jack says on his deathbed, the first one of a group of friends to die is the lucky one, which is precisely my wish -to b the first one of my circle to go. This film looks at life all along the way and sums it up as rewarding, no matter what. And excellent cast of my favorite veteran Brit actors give their best to a movie that makes you think and reminisce at the same time. Definitely worth a watch!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
05/12/21
Full Review
Audience Member
Touching and important story of parenting, love, self v other, finding your calling, and friendship.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
06/16/19
Full Review
Audience Member
Last Orders is a British set comedy drama about a bunch of friends who have been asked to scatter their late friend's ashes in the seaside town of Margate. The story is a sober but enjoyable one and although the film is maybe a little dull at times, it still manages to be one of reflection and humour that are very well mixed together. Starring such actors as Michael Caine, Helen Mirren, Bob Hoskins and Ray Winstone, this is one film with a real Crème de la crème of British talent and also one that for some people could be a real highlight.
As said I did feel the plot plays out a little boring at moments but it never gets so dragged down in dullness that it becomes bad. The whole tone is never really happy even in the well, happiest of times, something always seems to come a long to make the moment a little sadder and this is one reason I couldn't ever love this film. Having said that all the sadness surrounding the passing of Michael Caine's character Jack and the spreading of his ashes is one of fine characters, each with unique personalities and back stories which interweave into each other's very nicely.
I felt of all the acting on show here it is really Helen Mirren who shows off her talent and is just fantastic as Amy(Jack's widow) who is a depressed yet loveable character, caring for her intellectually disabled daughter who has never said a word to her in her life. It is all yet again rather sad but Amy has been created to be just used to it all, even Jack's death we see has bothered but not broken her, she is just a sad person but one who can still have a laugh now and again. Bob Hoskins is good as Ray who is Jack's best mate and he seems to bring a good presence to the screen alongside all the others. One more person to compliment is Ray Winstone as Jack's adopted son Vince, Winstone seems to work the character rather well, blending an honest man with a man who also has demons and anger, brought out a lot by the character of Lenny(David Hemmings).
I couldn't help but feel this is a kind of movie that tried to maybe push for awards, and it did work, but maybe not on the level they really wanted. Sure Mirren deserved the credit but as a picture this is nothing special, the kind of movie that is alright don't get me wrong but just not good for numerous reasons. Fred Schepisi is not one of those reasons, I mean I didn't think either his directing or writing were great but importantly they are steady and make the picture one that is a close one, where you connect with the characters, Schepisi really tries to draw you in and make it as if these people are real.
I think this movie is the kind of thing that sure, on a quiet Sunday lazing about, this is the kind of thing that may just be very enjoyable. I felt throughout the film goes for the sweet stuff from the first minute with heart and emotion everywhere trying to hit you hard so you too maybe shed a tear. For me this isn't strong enough a movie to make me sad but I do admit there are scenes in it(especially with Mirren in them) that make your heart drop, and the scenes to be fair with her daughter are both heartbreaking but also show us Mirren's complete talent.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
02/16/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Australian writer-director Fred Schepisi is a master at immersing himself in stories set in worlds foreign to his own. In this British drama, based on a Booker-Prize winning novel by Graham Swift, four lifelong friends carry out the last wish of a recently deceased friend to scatter his ashes in the seaside town, Margate. It has a serene, elegiac mood on memory, structured around flashbacks, with seamless transitions. This is an affectionate, unsentimental celebration of friendship, among ordinary people at the later stages of life, without ever feeling patronizing. Schepisi's unassuming style and effective use of the widescreen format blends beautifully with an understated approach to the material. The casting is close to perfection. Schepisi has assembled an ensemble of the finest actors in England: Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, David Hemmings, Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Ray Winstone; and among the younger versions of the main characters are JJ Field, Cameron Fitch, Nolan Hemmings, Anatol Yusef, Kelly Reilly, and Stephen McCole.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Holy crap are the old buggers boring. Michael Caine. Bob Hoskins. Tom Courtenay. All grade A performers but put them in a story that plods and give them dialogue that doesn't zing and you'll be napping before you know it.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
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