BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998

Subject: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 May 03 - 09:45 PM

Has anyone else seen this? They just showed it on IFC. Here is a link to a review: Last Night. It's one of the best movies I've seen in ages. Directed by and starring Donald MacKellar, who also did Red Violin, it also features Sandra Oh, fast becoming one of my favourite actresses. It is about the last 6 hours of the world and takes place in Toronto, following ordinary people as they prepare to say good bye. I cannot do it justice, so if you are at all interested, please read the review. Curiously, it is NOT depressing!

If you've seen it, I'd love to hear your take on it, too.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 May 03 - 05:10 PM

Yes, it's a pretty intriguing film. I always find it a bit odd seeing these movies that are set in Toronto, simply because I know the city so well. It's hard for me to get into the story when I keep seeing familiar things. Good thing I don't live in New York!

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Mudlark
Date: 25 May 03 - 06:08 PM

Kat...I saw this movie some time ago, so don't remember it clearly. I do know that I found it depressing enough that despite good acting I avoid it now, when I see it in the line-up. I'm not as resilient as I used to be when it comes to unhappy endings! But I recommend it to anyone who is not as wimpy as I am.

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 May 03 - 11:17 PM

Thanks to you both. LH, I wondered how much of it was really Toronto. It was intriguing to see knowing that I know Mudcatters who must walk those streets!

Mudlark, I almost slipped into that depression, but I was so intrigued with the acting, direction and camerawork, as well as the way the actual story was laid out that that delight kept it at bay. The best word to describe it, for me, is intriguing. Made me think, in a different way, etc. I do understand about the depressing aspects of it, though.

I loved that one of the last things hundreds of people chose to do was go to that outdoor arena and learn how to play basic guitar chords! And, the way they kept intertwining Pete Seeger into the whole thing was great and poignant.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: van lingle
Date: 26 May 03 - 08:19 AM

Thanks for the heads-up and the site, kat. I loved The Red Violin so this sounds interesting,vl.

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Willie-O
Date: 26 May 03 - 08:31 AM

Well, the Callum Keith Rennie character was pretty interesting...or weird. I liked that he called up his former French teacher and propositioned her, and not only did she accept, she turned out to be Genevieve Bujold! That'd be enough of a last night for me.

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 May 03 - 10:01 AM

He was hilarious, in a pathetic sort of way. I could see him having a thing for his French teacher, though. I had an art teacher like that in high school. I might want to make love to one or two people I can think of if the world was going to end in a few days or hours, but certainly not 150 of them! I'd mostly be concentrating more on spiritual matters, I think. And I would definitely NOT be in Toronto, but out in the country somewhere.

It was most appropriate that thousands of people would gather for the last few minutes at Nathan Phillips Square (by Toronto City Hall) and chant the countdown to oblivion together (10! 9! 8! 7! 6! 5!...). It's just what would happen in Toronto. Sort of like New Year's Eve on a bigger scale. I bet Ronnie Hawkins would be there too. :-)

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Willie-O
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:19 AM

You could also make a case that "Last Night" was really the final finale of "Road to Avonlea"...Aunt Hettie (Jackie Burroughs) has gone completely out there round the bend and is running around town in a garbage bag vest shouting the number of minutes left, and Sarah (Stanley, Polley) has slipped off to join the party. Hettie's probably looking for her...there were so many bit parts, there must have been other RtA vets there...(there's another much sicker movie where young Felix has grown up to be a serial killer).

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: black walnut
Date: 26 May 03 - 12:21 PM

I'll definitely have to track this one down! Thanks Kat.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 03 - 03:07 PM

You're welcome, Van and b.w.! I loved Red Violin, too.

I think I'd do it a bit differently, too, LH. Definitely would NOT want to be in a city; much prefer the country with whatever critters.

Willie-O, I'm not familiar with your references, but it gives me an inkling about the sporty, batty, "Ol' gel" runamuck counting down the minutes character. Thanks! Oh and I LOVED that it was Bujold!! Be enough to make my night, too!

Thanks for the comments, folks.

kat

Anyone seen BBC"s Tipping the Velvet? They just showed it on BBC America. Quite good.

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 May 03 - 04:32 PM

What was the name of the recent Japanese film about people who were dead reliving one moment of their lives? That was a good film too. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:34 PM

I hope they get to choose the moment...

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Excellent movie - 'Last Night' from 1998
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 May 03 - 11:41 PM

Was it this one, Peter: After Life?