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The Last Journey

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The Last Journey

2024

1h 31m

Documentary

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85%

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13 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Selected as Sweden's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, "The Last Journey" is the most-watched documentary in Swedish history. When Lars Hammar, after 40 years as a beloved French teacher in Köping, retires, he envisions a delightful "third age" with travel, wine, and experiences together with his wife Tiina. But it doesn't turn out as he had hoped. Instead of indulging in life's pleasures, Lars becomes increasingly passive and lacking in willpower at home in his leather armchair, to the great frustration and despair of both Tiina and their son Filip. That's when Filip gets an idea -- to take his frail old father to his beloved France and let him revisit the places he has loved most in life. By retracing the same road trip the family used to take when Filip was a child and secretly orchestrating some of life's most delightful moments, he hopes to reignite Lars' zest for life. With the help of his best friend Fredrik, some hefty doses of optimism and creativity, and an old orange Renault 4, the adventure can begin!

Jake Wilson

Sydney Morning Herald

...the film is really much more about [Filip] than it is about his dad. But for all its ruthless efficiency, I never doubted that it was also an expression of love.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 26, 2025

Full Review

Hugo Hernández Valdivia

Cinexcepción

Whether acted or spontaneous, the tribute the son insists on paying to his father is ultimately as moving as it is valuable. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 80/100

Apr 10, 2025

Full Review

KT Mahe

For Your Reference Podcast

Accepting, or struggling to accept, the helplessness of witnessing parents get older proves to be difficult to separate from the intended elevated reality. Moments are understandable but also difficult to watch.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 18, 2025

Full Review

Oti

For Your Reference Podcast

The Last Journey reveals the dissonance between memory and reality as a parent ages. Its emotional core is strong, though at times, the journey feels more frustrating than moving.

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 18, 2025

Full Review

Matt Neal

ABC Radio (Australia)

Annoyingly contrived and often uncomfortable to watch, but its heart is in the right place and it does offer up some sweetly sentimental moments.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 5, 2025

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Only the hardest-hearted types could fail to side with this truly endearing old soul as he tries his hardest to become the best version of himself once more.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 4, 2025

Full Review

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T M

Emotional, funny, thought provoking, and relatable - especially for us oldies!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/25

Full Review

Marianna M

This is such a beautiful, authentic and moving movie. It was such a privilege to be given the opportunity to observe the love that can exist between a father and son. I was also delighted to see a friendship between two males that was heartening. It made me laugh and cry. One of the most memorable movies I have seen in many years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/04/25

Full Review

Rox A

Sometimes is very hard to accept the truth. Our parents are getting older however their love and feelings will never change. Very emotional movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Renee M

This is the most beautiful documentary. Watching the son finally accepting that his father is never going to be full of life again is heart wrenching. It is also incredibly difficult to watch when you’re in your 70s, as aging is confronting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Jim R

Great film - I was totally entranced, to the extent I forgot it was a doco!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

Ann C

"The Last Journey" is not what the title leads you to expect. Instead, it's warm, funny, sweet, and life-affirming, and while it does make you cry, the tears are happy, not sad. It's a totally unexpected and very charming treasure that is beautifully shot on gorgeous locations, and totally deserving of an Oscar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/22/24

Full Review

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Filip Hammar

Director

Fredrik Wikingsson

Director

Lars Beckung

Producer

Petra Måhl

Producer

Erik Persson

Cinematographer

Erik Vallsten

Cinematographer

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Synopsis

Selected as Sweden's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, "The Last Journey" is the most-watched documentary in Swedish history. When Lars Hammar, after 40 years as a beloved French teacher in Köping, retires, he envisions a delightful "third age" with travel, wine, and experiences together with his wife Tiina. But it doesn't turn out as he had hoped. Instead of indulging in life's pleasures, Lars becomes increasingly passive and lacking in willpower at home in his leather armchair, to the great frustration and despair of both Tiina and their son Filip. That's when Filip gets an idea -- to take his frail old father to his beloved France and let him revisit the places he has loved most in life. By retracing the same road trip the family used to take when Filip was a child and secretly orchestrating some of life's most delightful moments, he hopes to reignite Lars' zest for life. With the help of his best friend Fredrik, some hefty doses of optimism and creativity, and an old orange Renault 4, the adventure can begin!

Director: Filip Hammar, Fredrik Wikingsson
Producer: Lars Beckung, Petra Måhl
Production Co: Nexiko
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: Swedish
Runtime: 1h 31m