In general, I'm not a big fan of holding one movie up to another when reviewing it. But sometimes the nature of two films virtually demands those comparisons. Such was the case in part for "World Trade Center", and such is the case for "The Last Kiss"...
Comparisons between "The Last Kiss" and "Garden State" are unavoidable, largely because Zach Braff stars in both movies, but also because both are wandering missives on particular stages of life. None of the characters are the same, but this movie is still a pseudo-sequel to "Garden State". While Braff did not direct or write "Kiss" as he did "State", his influence on many parts of the movie is undeniable, from quirky mannerisms to the laid-back soundtrack that he produced. His presence also lends more credence to the movie, because if he did not tote residual quality from "State", "Kiss" would feel like a cheap knock-off of his previous picture. Instead, it just feels cheap.
"Garden State" addressed that gray time in one's early twenties between school and adulthood, while "Last Kiss" focuses on the late twenties jump from young professional to marriage. Michael (Braff) and his girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) have just learned they are pregnant. That news rolled together with the variables contributed by their semi-dysfunctional circle of friends and family leaves Michael a little uneasy about his planned future, an issue complicated by the sudden arrival of the sexy, care-free co-ed Kim (Rachel Bilson) into his life. Unfortunately though the veneers of "State" and "Kiss" are similar, they differ widely beneath the surface, and "Kiss" takes the worst of every comparison despite good work from a similarly solid cast.
"Garden State" seemed to genuinely explore a confusing time in life, while "Last Kiss" seems to have a message: that marriage as something to be dreaded rather than eagerly anticipated. Beyond just providing numerous negative examples, the movie treats such miserable relationships as normal and unavoidable, which is where the movie truly falls short. Much of the skepticism raised is legitimate when approached as means rather than ends. But rather than use those doubts as impetus to burrow into the coal mines of relationships with hopes of finding a diamond, "Kiss" turns off the lights and dams up the entrance, leaving everything dark and frightening with scarcely a ray of hope. It's enough to discourage anyone from getting hitched or even seriously involved with someone else. And that's bothersome. The negative aspects of marriage are emphasized, and the positives are largely ignored. The portrayal isn't aggressively negative, but seems to rise from a basic misunderstanding, probably from experience, of how marriage can and should work. It's impossible to get past this pessimistic view of an establishment that is in actuality so wonderful.
(end soapbox)
Beyond the moral issues of "Kiss", which I suppose are debatable, the movie lacks rationale, even by cinematic standards. Everything on screen doesn't have to be fully logical or sensible, but when characters possess only two disparate dimensions, normal and insane, they end up depressing and wearing out the audience, like the clueless mother in the supermarket who hasn't a chance of calming her screaming child. That inadequacy overshadows any positive elements "Kiss" might have presented.
"Garden State" had fantastic highs in its small moments. "Last Kiss" tries to match that potency in a few situations, but ends up looking like one of its characters, a college kid trying to fit into an adult life. At times the movie's sentiments are okay, but more often than not the accurate observations are drowned out by all the yelling. What's missing is a reasonable understanding of the big picture, which might have elevated the movie to watchable status. As is, "Kiss" is just not strong enough to reach nearly the same heights.
Bottom Line: The only redeeming values here are the mellow soundtrack (artists like Imogen Heap and Coldplay), which is essentially Braff's latest mix tape, and how the movie can spur thoughts about relationships. But there are better ways to experience both. Obviously not recommended. 4 of 10.
(And for the record, I gave "Garden State" a 7. Great moments, but an inconsistent film.)
Comparisons between "The Last Kiss" and "Garden State" are unavoidable, largely because Zach Braff stars in both movies, but also because both are wandering missives on particular stages of life. None of the characters are the same, but this movie is still a pseudo-sequel to "Garden State". While Braff did not direct or write "Kiss" as he did "State", his influence on many parts of the movie is undeniable, from quirky mannerisms to the laid-back soundtrack that he produced. His presence also lends more credence to the movie, because if he did not tote residual quality from "State", "Kiss" would feel like a cheap knock-off of his previous picture. Instead, it just feels cheap.
"Garden State" addressed that gray time in one's early twenties between school and adulthood, while "Last Kiss" focuses on the late twenties jump from young professional to marriage. Michael (Braff) and his girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) have just learned they are pregnant. That news rolled together with the variables contributed by their semi-dysfunctional circle of friends and family leaves Michael a little uneasy about his planned future, an issue complicated by the sudden arrival of the sexy, care-free co-ed Kim (Rachel Bilson) into his life. Unfortunately though the veneers of "State" and "Kiss" are similar, they differ widely beneath the surface, and "Kiss" takes the worst of every comparison despite good work from a similarly solid cast.
"Garden State" seemed to genuinely explore a confusing time in life, while "Last Kiss" seems to have a message: that marriage as something to be dreaded rather than eagerly anticipated. Beyond just providing numerous negative examples, the movie treats such miserable relationships as normal and unavoidable, which is where the movie truly falls short. Much of the skepticism raised is legitimate when approached as means rather than ends. But rather than use those doubts as impetus to burrow into the coal mines of relationships with hopes of finding a diamond, "Kiss" turns off the lights and dams up the entrance, leaving everything dark and frightening with scarcely a ray of hope. It's enough to discourage anyone from getting hitched or even seriously involved with someone else. And that's bothersome. The negative aspects of marriage are emphasized, and the positives are largely ignored. The portrayal isn't aggressively negative, but seems to rise from a basic misunderstanding, probably from experience, of how marriage can and should work. It's impossible to get past this pessimistic view of an establishment that is in actuality so wonderful.
(end soapbox)
Beyond the moral issues of "Kiss", which I suppose are debatable, the movie lacks rationale, even by cinematic standards. Everything on screen doesn't have to be fully logical or sensible, but when characters possess only two disparate dimensions, normal and insane, they end up depressing and wearing out the audience, like the clueless mother in the supermarket who hasn't a chance of calming her screaming child. That inadequacy overshadows any positive elements "Kiss" might have presented.
"Garden State" had fantastic highs in its small moments. "Last Kiss" tries to match that potency in a few situations, but ends up looking like one of its characters, a college kid trying to fit into an adult life. At times the movie's sentiments are okay, but more often than not the accurate observations are drowned out by all the yelling. What's missing is a reasonable understanding of the big picture, which might have elevated the movie to watchable status. As is, "Kiss" is just not strong enough to reach nearly the same heights.
Bottom Line: The only redeeming values here are the mellow soundtrack (artists like Imogen Heap and Coldplay), which is essentially Braff's latest mix tape, and how the movie can spur thoughts about relationships. But there are better ways to experience both. Obviously not recommended. 4 of 10.
(And for the record, I gave "Garden State" a 7. Great moments, but an inconsistent film.)