Last Night (DVD Review)

DVD Review of the drama Last Night starring Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Guillaume Canet and Eva Mendes





Image Courtesy of eOne Films



Writer/Dir: Massy Tadjedin - feature film directorial debut

Cast: Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Guillaume Canet, Eva Mendes

USA/France, 2011



Reason to see: This one is all about the casting.



Have relationship dramas replace old school romances? I'm not sure but if Last Night is included in a new trending of film, I couldn't be happier. Following couple Joanna & Michael (Keira Knightly & Sam Worthington respectively) as a regular couple with regular lives, with their own jobs history, relationship woes and highs. It's nice to see a couple that feel very normal, from cute every day remembrances to repeated worries that could escalate to nagging. They have great chemistry together as well as a wonderful ease of an established relationship.



Being a relationships drama, we need to get to some of the drama in that drama and this is where the film stray from the norm as it skirts the edges of acceptable couple hood and flirts with ideas of infidelity. What would make someone cross over, or keep them faithful, how much does your past play into your future and how well do we know our partners in the first place? The question it poses are plenty and potent, but they are often handled with a delicate touch that both expands understanding and brings us to a deeper level with the characters. I loved how layered and rich the film felt, even with a small cast of primarily four characters we see into the prisms of their past and the possibilities for their future.



The stories beautifully unfold in an oddly refreshing traditional narrative with compelling and heartfelt performances from its gorgeous cast. I normally don't point out looks, but when you have Keira Knightly (Never Let Me Go) & Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation) along with Eva Mendez (The Other Guys) & Guillaume Canet (Espion(s) / Spy(ies)) it's undeniable that they are all beautiful, however they also really do feel like every day, normal people living their lives - especially Keira Knightly & Sam Worthington.



I was happily surprized at the depth and beauty of the film while will stay strong in my mind for a long time.



DVD Extras:

• Making Of (14 minutes) behind the scenes, film stills and interviews with writer/director Massy Tadjedin, actors Keira Knightly, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet on the story, the questions it poses, their characters and motivations, casting and working together, the tone of the film, the relatability of the situation and characters. Interviews with Massy Tadjedin, Keira Knightly, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes are in English with French subtitles and Guillaume Canet interview is in French with no subtitles.
• Trailer

Last Night is available on DVD as of August 2, 2011. Check it out over at Amazon.ca & Amazon.com



Shannon's Overall View:

I loved it

I'll watch it again

I'd recommend it of dramas, relationship dramas and romances



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© Shannon Ridler, 2011





Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington, in LAST NIGHT Courtesy of eOne films





Guillaume Canet as Alex, in LAST NIGHT Courtesy of eOne Films





Eva Mendes in Last Night Courtesy of eOne Films