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The talent in this film is overflowing. There are so many
skilled and virtually flawless actors in this film that it seems
almost impossible for me to say that the film is disappointing.
But I did say that and it was certainly disappointing.
The film
concerns a group of friends who must deal with the funeral of their
friend, butcher Jack Dodds (Michael Caine), who dies and leaves a last
request: take his ashes from London to the sea and toss them in
the water. Simple enough, eh? The film is told through a
series of flashbacks, involving the drinking buddies, and even Caine
and his wife Amy (Helen Mirren). The problem with the film is
that it doesn't pay enough attention to the central storyline
involving the buddies taking their friend's ashes, and it concerns
itself too much with flashbacks and things that happened in the past.
The performances are well-rounded (what else would you expect from
such veterans), especially from Caine and Hoskins, who always seem to
amaze. Also, a wonderful performance is given from Tom Courtenay
as Vic.
The
problems with this film are that it focuses too much on subsidiary
plotlines and not enough on the main plotline. Also, there are
periods in the film so eventless and so drawn out, that the audience
becomes bored and prays for closure. By the end of the film, we
don't really care if they get the ashes there because we are really
unsure if Caine is really dead (the flashbacks can be confusing at
times).
"Last
Orders" was directed by Fred Schepisi, a skilled filmmaker who
gave us such marvelous gems as "I.Q." and "Six Degrees
of Separation". He was on the right track with this film,
but strayed somewhere and ended up giving us a moderately pleasant
film with fine performances, but weak plot points and attention
getters. I am sure this film will be applauded by critics
everywhere, because this film reeks with talent, but I just can't
recommend a film that seems too uneven. Go for the performances,
stay for the performances, and leave with the complete knowledge that
I told you so. My last order: judge for yourself.
-- Billy
Ray ( 2 out of 4 pops )
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