Directed by Julie Anne Robinson, Touchstone Pictures, 2010. Starring Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth and Greg Kinnear.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Question: Are you a fan of Miley Cyrus? I will admit she hasn't been high up on my list of favorite actors. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact my children watched every Hannah Montana episode five times each. Drove me batty. But how many parents and kids actually enjoy the same things, at least while the kids are younger than 18? I know I had favorite actors when I was a kid that my parents never understood. It's the parent/child phenomenon called "I can't possibly like what they like!" But my husband and son were watching a movie so my daughter and I decided to watch a movie together -- a good chick-flick. We agreed on The Last Song.
Alright, I will admit I kind of liked this film. It sort brought me back to when I was a bratty 17 year-old thinking I knew everything. Didn't we all have that attitude at one point or another? And maybe it is preparing me for when my daughter reaches that phase.
Well, the story was a typical coming-of-age/summer romance but with a bit more maturity and depth. Also, I was sort of shocked to see a movie mainly about teenagers that was only rated PG. It was perfect for my daughter, 9, to watch a movie about first loves and there's nothing more than kissing. (I sound like an old fuddy-duddy, don't I? Sorry.) She did think there was way too much kissing in it though.
Nicholas Sparks wrote the movie specifically for Miley Cyrus, or at least that is what I remember when they were promoting it. That kind of made me not want to see it, but I simply adore Greg Kinnear and pushed my prejudices aside. Plus, I will admit Liam Hemsworth is a bit...intriguing...okay, okay...he's good-looking. Plus, there is something about the men in Nicholas Sparks' stories. They embody the ideal guy: gentle, sweet, strong in character, good-looking and when you need it -- a good protector. Liam Hemsworth fit the role he was given in The Last Song well.
The author actually wrote the screenplay before he wrote the novel. I wonder how many times that happens?
The movie was on the slow side but it had a 'real' tone to it. Miley Cyrus' performance of portraying a pissed-off teenager who falls in love for the first time was acceptable. Anyone recall that time in their lives? It is scary, exhilarating, and sometimes too much to comprehend. But on top of that The Last Song takes a family dynamic that had some genuine feeling to it which gave it more than the typical summer romance storyline.
I can't believe I got sucked into this story but it happened. And Nicholas Sparks really should earn an honorary Oscar for making movies that make people cry. Geesh! Even my 9 year-old daughter cried. I only teared-up (really) but it did pull on those heartstrings. So, if you have a rainy afternoon coming up soon, put this one on your queue and grab the kids. This one is for the whole family.
My favorite thing: The house - I want a beach house like that.
My least favorite thing: That it made me cry (I mean tear up!) You are good Mr. Sparks!
Rating: PG
Length: 107 minutes
Random thought: I just looked up Nicholas Sparks' movies and I have seen 5 out of 6. Check out the Nicholas Spark's web page here and see if you seen any sort of pattern to the movie posters.
My daughter gave it a 9 out of 10.
Review: 5 out of 10
2 comments:
I'll have to see this movie. It sounds good.
So glad to hear. I hope you enjoy it! :-)
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