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If a good soundtrack could mean a good movie, the latest romantic comedy, “The Last Kiss,” would be a winner. Sadly, this correlation is not always the case.
Paul Haggins, the writer of “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby,” took a wrong turn with this non-comedic romantic comedy. “The Last Kiss,” starring Zach Braff (“Garden State”), Jacinda Barrett (“Poseidon”) and Rachel Bilson (“The O.C.”), follows the character Michael (Braff) as he undergoes what he describes as a “premature mid-life crisis.”
Upon discovering that his long-time girlfriend Jenna (Barrett) is pregnant, the successful, 29-year-old architect begins to wonder if his life has turned into a series of predictable events, void of any surprise. Burdened with this prospect, Michael pursues a relationship with Kim (Bilson), a college student he met at a friend’s wedding.
“The Last Kiss” becomes another “Garden State” as Zach Braff finding that his seemingly smooth life is not as easily enjoyable after all, prompting a personal crisis. Even the mellow tunes on the soundtracks could be interchangeable.
However, fans of the 2004 hit should not get too excited. Rather than being refreshing and thought-provoking, the plot is unoriginal, following the same fight-and-make-up cycle of events seen in every other romantic comedy.
The formulaic storyline is carried out by clichCB)d characters, giving the audience the feeling that they had seen this story before. Michael is a typical man afraid of commitment, as seen in many romantic comedies.
He meets the typical “party-girl” college student, and it becomes obvious from that first encounter that a relationship is bound to begin. These “cookie-cutter” characters are over-dramatized, making it seem like the actors are trying too much to play easy roles.
The movie follows a theme of failed relationships, as Michael is not the only character with relationship problems.
His three best friends, along with his girlfriend’s parents, all suffer the demise of relationships throughout the movie, making Michael just another victim of the many trials and tribulations that can ultimately tear apart a household.
Hopeless romantics, or just those who look at love through rose-colored lenses, will find the plot disheartening and unnecessarily cynical.
Those looking for a refreshing, funny romance need to keep searching, as they won’t find it in “The Last Kiss.” Some audience members will be in store for, yet, another predictable romance. Whether the movie’s goal was profit or pleasure, the film was lacking in the uniqueness that gives a true romance its sparkle.
