User reviews

I had the privilege of watching this film a few minutes ago. Since my opinion is still fresh and wouldn't be influenced by anything else at this very moment (at least not dramatically), I thought I'd share my thoughts.

Yes, my summary is "It doesn't know what it wants to be", and that is it's main flaw. Director, Michael Caleo, was brave enough to incorporate numerous themes and genres into this confused work. What starts off to be your average two lead comedy, wanders off into the thriller territory, and attempts to simultaneously touch upon the Rom-Com genre. I say Caleo was brave, because he took a risk where the odds were against him. He attempted something that could have easily failed, he tried to defy the conventions of your average Comedy/Drama by reinforcing (forcing, even) innovation.

Was it a complete failure? I wouldn't say so. I've been rather generous with my '6' rating, but there were a few redeeming qualities about it. The most overt quality was mainly Michael Keaton's on screen presence. His charisma was present, as always, and quirky demeanour was reminiscent of his pre 90s career. As for the rest of the cast, Brendan Fraser and Amber Valletta were tolerable, but nothing amazing.

The twist that unravels as the conclusion was lowbrow and felt rushed. In fact, a lot of the dialogue felt rushed. There seemed to be a lot of reliance on foul language to encapsulate it's comedic elements that it attempted to implement.

I'd like to sum this up by saying that if you aren't a Michael Keaton or Brendan Fraser fan, you might find it hard to be engaged, because as a movie on it's own, it isn't very good. However, it isn't all bad, Caleo's attempt is worth having a look at. The Last Time is an unconventional Dramedy (sort of) that didn't quite achieve what it wanted to.

Before reviewing this film, let me state that I don't think there's another actor who can create as much interest and tension as Michael Keaton. I often wonder how different the career of this beyond-brilliant actor would be if he had played the second Batman. Anyway, The Last Time is Michael's film. He looks great, he's thin, he's complex and he's outwardly cold. Which makes you wonder why he would put up with so many of Brendan Fraser's flaws, even if it meant getting to romance BF's beautiful wife, Amber Valletta. The story was for the most part compelling, though I wasn't totally comfortable with not knowing what the corporation actually made (Was I supposed to?) and why Daniel Stern was so hilariously freaked out. Near the end,the film took an emotional dip which led one to guess the ending before one should. Despite many flaws in logic, I think this was a fascinating film and would recommend it to anyone. My main complaint is what it always is: the swearing. Not because I don't like swearing, but it's always those false Hollywood-type vulgarities that everyone uses in the film, but very few men employ in real life. How do they come up with these sexual-scatological-homoerotic/phobic and ultimately silly curses. Try using any one of them at a business office, and you'd be out the door or on the carpet. Good film. Good performances. However, Michael Keaton, deserves to be in much more important films.

I did not think that this movie totally sucked. It was a thought provoking reflection of American culture and values. It causes one to wonder how far another human being will go to make money and how easily non-materialistic individuals in a capitalistically oriented culture can be duped by sharks that will rip them to shreds like defenseless bait. One weakness of the film was its depiction of women as greedy piranhas that only seek nourishment from money not love. There were no non-materialistic female characters in the film to balance out this theme resulting in a rather over-generalized characterization of women. If one can get past this problem, the premise that those obsessed with making money will go to unspeakable, evil lengths to attempt to satisfy their insatiable greed is an interesting theme to consider. If you rent the DVD expect to be entertained, but not completely enthralled.

Made for a reputed $4 Million dollars and released in 2007 to theatres in the USA. This is a pretty left field film which has the benefit of some great actors with the leads particularly good, who suck you into a spiders web of a story which though the big revelation does not wholly ring credible, is none the less well worth watching. As a footnote, this smart little indie film just shows how big Hollywood so often wastes millions of dollars on unworthy projects and poor film making.Finally i thought that Amber Valletta made the film work, while she was ably assisted by Michael Keaton who has become a really impressive and very versatile actor, who has left Batman a very long way behind.

Good story, great idea, great acting...with exception to Mr. Fraser... no wonder he doesn't work anymore. Keaton is on point as usual, Brendan just ruins it with over acting, which is his MO really. Unless it's Encino Man, the guy is not qualified to work with real talent.

Michael Caleo's background in writing for television shows in this flimsy little flick that despite a solid cast comes across as tired retelling of the bad guy to good guy to bad guy sequences. There are some good one-liners in the film, with a script that is so peppered with the 'f' word that it is crippled by it, but the story has been done before and much better and this time around the 'twist' is obvious from the film's opening lines.

Goofus-doofus Midwesterner Jaime (Brendan Fraser) has moved form Ohio to New York with his gorgeous girlfriend Belisa (Amber Valletta) to join a sales company whose chief salesman is foul mouthed, ill tempered Ted (Michael Keaton) who appears to loathe everyone and the world. Jaime is assigned to Ted, but Jaime's level of intelligence borders on idiocy and his fate with the company seems doomed...until Jaime introduces Belisa to Ted...and the romantic fireworks start. Ted falls for Belisa and begins to change his outlook, confiding his inner spirit as a professor of English literature to Belisa. A transformation takes place and as Jaime spirals downward while Ted and Belisa's affair ignites, role reversal happens as a not at all surprising plot unfolds.

Michael Keaton is a fine actor and makes the best of this mouthy role, but Brendan Fraser's talents are completely wasted - a hint from the start that all is not as it appears... It is a mediocre movie and even if the audience doesn't turn off the soundtrack to rid the script of the trashy language, it can become insulting to the intellect. But again, Keaton helps it float. Grady Harp

I usually agree pretty much with the IMDb-Ratings but in this case I find it really amazing that it only gets 6.3 points (08/07). Okay, sometimes when you don't expect too much (because of poor ratings you get surprised and tend to overrate it. I give it a perfect ten anyway. Why? This is a wonderfully drafted/crafted drama thriller with excellent acting (especially Michael Keaton). The twists are fantastic and so are the dialogue. (I envy the screenwriter and will keep track of the director's career, too!) It delivers a great insight into the everyday life of an (unsuccessful) salesman. If you loved Wall Street and have a soft spot for B movies, you will like this one even more than Wall Street. Watch it!

Before renting this movie, my day had been great. I nailed my exams and was in the mood for a celebration. The review on the cover promised it to be "wildy entertaining"(-FulvueDrive-in.com). Now, after finishing the movie, I feel "empty inside", like Keaton so appropriately put it in one of the most cliché-ridden scenes ever.

The "clever and twisty" parts was conspicuous by its complete absence. Throughout the entire movie I was desperately waiting for some kind of clever turn, but when the ending finally came, the only satisfying feeling i was left with was the relief that the film was over.

Keatons character was somewhat solid at the beginning, but completely collapsed shortly into the movie. Fraser played his usual weak and insecure character and reached an all time low when trying to act tough at the end.

So if you are ever feeling the least bit good about yourself, please do not see this movie. It will bring you down like a rock.

Fysjom!

Average picture under the worst possible premisse, to compare elephants with homo-sapiens-sapiens, if you have a company headed by the clumsy Daniel Stern you certainly don't have any future ahead, now writing more seriously it's didn't happens on real life, all commercial companies there a head offices to keep track of all business, apart that Michael Keaton has one the most best acting in years, he'll slowly leting a bitter and fed up character into a really nice guy, even taking the best friend's girl, Fraser is the same always, Amber Valetta pays every minutes spent to see her in hot scenes even covered, the picture has unusual moments that displayed how the great companies works on sales!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2019 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

Michael keaton and brendan fraser are ted and jamie, salesmen in new york. Ted has been doing this forever, and is very good at it, while jamie doesn't seem to be able to close a sale. It gets even more complicated when ted starts shtupping jamie's fiancee. Most of the movie is a total downer.... jamie can't seem to get a sale or satisfy his wife. He's off his meds. Very serious music. But we're not really sure what the point is, or what's going on. It doesn't really have a direction. But one thing is for sure... brendan fraser has moved past his family safe, kid's adventure films! Lots of cussing. Co-stars amber valletta. It's a cross between mr. Mom, glen garry glen ross, and office space. And michael keaton was in mr. Mom. This all gets tied up at the very end. Some twists and turns. And that weird ending just goes on forever. Bad editing? Or did it need a script fixup? Written and directed by michael caleo. The one, full length film he has directed so far.

...before this film hit the production level.

I SUSPECT that this script was well-done. (though I couldn't find a copy of it anywhere.) The acting is what we would expect from top-tier actors. The directing seems excellent. But I suspect that somewhere between the film getting in the can and getting out the doorway...

...someone went at it with scissors. Or a blow torch. Either way, the race to the ending seems rushed and convoluted. Parts seem to be missing. Other parts don't seem to follow in order. Some parts are just plain missing.

Gotta hate those movies that end with you shaking your head and telling yourself "What the *@$ was that?" I felt sorry for those people that worked on the movie.

this is the worst movie i have ever seen. why in the world Michael Keaton would hurt his reputation to work on such a horrendous film, i have no idea. the writing was horrible, the acting was ridiculous, and the plot was so predictable and trite. i wish i could get those two hours back. what a waste of my life that was.

Brendan Fraser either has great roles in movies or the worst roles. this was definitely a wrong move for him. i don't know who the writer/director guy is, but he needs to get another job. i can't even tell you how stupid the script was. my wife and i were laughing at how trite the whole film was.

So many of Hollywood's most popular movies have become so painfully formulaic that 15 minutes into the thing, you can figure out who wins the girl, who loses his life and who gets what he deserves. This movie starts out that way but the ending caught me by surprise. I first saw this movie one week ago and as the days have passed, I continue to think about the ending and the story line. It's *that* good a movie.

It's also a thinking person's movie. Nothing explodes and no one's head rolls down a staircase and there's no blood and gore, but my oh my, is it a compelling story.

There are a lot of messages you can take away from this movie but the one that rings most true to me is a quote I heard many years ago from William Barclay (Bible scholar). He said that evil seeks to breech our spiritual fortress in our weakest places and in our strongest places and that we should be vigilant to guard those two "low spots." The other reason I loved this movie is it's about "every man" and each plot and sub-plot is very believable and has no discernible plot holes (as so many movies do). It's very well-written, well-acted and deliciously interesting. You may want to watch it twice, to make sure you miss nothing.

Awful. Shallow, transparent, and surprisingly uninspired acting from Keaton and Fraser. The fact that the story is centered around a couple of high-octane air-conditioner salesmen (or similar bland, fill-in-the-blank household product) trying to sound and act like Wall-Street brokers is laughable. Fraser is out of place with a comical performance as your overly-friendly, non-threatening neighborhood Midwesterner, while Keaton's dialogue filled with expletives every other sentence is empty and tasteless. Amber Valletta is simply eye-candy. Production looks cheap and the attempt at making New Orleans look like New York is poor. Straight-to-DVD movie for those that like to pretend to think without actually doing so.

Ted Ryker (Michael Keaton) is the bitter acerbic top salesman in the New York office accounting for about 70% of the sales. Jamie Bashant (Brendan Fraser) is the new salesman claiming to be the top salesman in his Ohio office. The company product is inferior but their boss John Whitman keeps touting a revolutionary model is coming. The two go out on sales calls. Jamie struggles to make his first sale. He's planning to marry fiancée Belisa (Amber Valletta) and Ted has an eye on her.

There is a non-specificity to the product which leaves this feeling fake and unreal. It's also not unreal enough to be surreal. A lot of this feels fake (for a good reason). Jamie is so pathetic that it's unbelievable that he's a salesman of any worth in anywhere. The whole thing is oddly fake. Some of that unreality is explained in the twist but it's a bit too late. It never made sense that Ted and Jamie gets paired up as a sales team. I couldn't figure out why Ted is tied down with such a pathetic specimen. It was also odd that Ted never makes a sales in this movie. The central idea is intriguing but it needs to be executed with more realism.

Super Salesman Ted (Keaton) takes on a partner, Jamie (Fraser), to show him the ropes. Problems arise when Ted takes a liking to Belise (Valletta), Jamie's fiancée.

The beginning of this movie is weird, weird, weird. You have no idea where it's going and only the star power holds you. Why weird? Because of the way Jamie acts and you almost feel like shutting this down, but the star power still holds you. Yes, Fraser does go a little Bad George of the Jungle and this is where you are thinking of watching Lassie reruns. But, still the star power must be worth something so you stick with it. And, in time, it works, sort of. When things go this bad in a movie one must look for clues to find a way out of the mess. And, yes there were clues along the way, oblique ones , but there nevertheless.

I understand this movie went straight to DVD probably because the theaters would empty in 20 minutes and reputations would be ruined. When you get to the twist, maybe….. maybe it saves itself.

Advice to Michael Keaton: go back and play Batman or some legitimate thriller as this was really a chick flick with men doing the chick flick work. Not good. As for Fraser, he did some good work at the end of the movie and it was refreshing to see him act like an adult for a change. Need to see more of this side of him. Yes, he had to follow the script when he played the dufus, but we were the ones who had to watch him being a dufus. Not good.

Violence:No, Sex:Yes, Nudity: Yes, Language, Yes, non-stop

My wife and I had just finished eating out. We were having a "date night" without the kids and picked this title up at the video store. Now, normally I like to do some research before I invest my time in a movie, but we were out by the store and I like Michael Keaton and Brendan Fraser, so I thought we were safe.

I was, sad to say, very, very wrong.

We snuggled up and began the movie, which is rated R. When the rating appeared at the beginning it mentioned "pervasive language." Okay...that was an understatement. There was so much cussing, particularly with the f-word, that it was totally distracting and basically just ridiculous.

But this was Keaton and Fraser so we pressed on a bit. I think we got about 30 minutes into it and both agreed that this would be 'the last time' we just pick up a movie without reading a little about it. The dialogue, the acting, the story...the whole thing seemed to be a joke. I kept wondering...'how does a guy like Michael Keaton end up in a movie like this? Didn't he read the script? Or was he that desperate for work?' Anyway, we stopped the madness and popped in a movie we own, City of Angels. Okay...now that is a movie. What an incredible difference. Watching those movies back-to-back made The Last Time seem like a high school production.

I am very disappointed. But it turns out I only threw away thirty minutes and $4.74, so it's not the end of the world.

My respect for these two actors, again whom I generally like a lot, has diminished significantly.

I would strongly recommend that you stay away from this movie.