Last Night
1998 Directed by Don McKellar
Synopsis
Writer/director/actor Don McKellar's take on the always intriguing "end of the world" concept is a thoughtful, engaging effort that uses dialogue instead of action to discuss this premise intellectually. The inhabitants of a Canadian city quietly accept the news that the world is going to end at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day, 2000.
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As I was drifting off to sleep last night, I happened to start pondering a catastrophic solar event where the sun just blips out of existence (a scientific impossibility, I know; but it was late, and minds wander). What would happen to society if they knew they only had a few hours, or a few minutes before the Earth was destroyed? How quickly, how ferociously, how widespread, would rioting and wanton destruction occur? What would I do? Who would I see? I quickly realized that I was panicking myself back awake, so I bargained with my brain that by giving Don McKellar's Last Night another watch in the morning, it would stop worrying about the apocalypse and let me get…
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I'm not entirely sure what to think about this movie. I get why people would love it, but I'm not quite there yet. Need to think on it some more and I'll get back to you LetterBoxd community.
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Writer/director/star Don McKellar has crafted a highly unique and emotional film. All of the main characters are compelling as they try and do whatever it is they need to do on their last night on Earth. Craig (Callum Keith Rennie) tries to fulfill all his sexual fantasies, a gas company employee (David Cronenberg) calls every customer letting them know the gas will be flowing until the very end and thanks them for their business, and Patrick (McKellar) just wants to be by himself but isn’t having much success. Even minor characters keep popping up where you least expect them to, tying everyone even closer.
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The world is due to end at midnight. Set in Toronto, we follow a variety of characters as they spend their last six hours on earth. There's Patrick who wants to be alone, much to the sadness of his parents, Sandra who is trying to get across town to be with her husband, and Craig who just wants to tick off all of his sexual fantasies while he still can. There's no trying to save the world (or background as to why), so we're free to engage with these characters and experience the range of emotions they go through as the end approaches. With the cream of Canadian talent - Don McKellar, Sandra Oh, Callum Keith Rennie, Sarah Polley and David Cronenberg - all aboard, this is a vital, low key, but highly effective apocalyptic drama that really is worth seeking out.
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I loved this back when it came out, watched it many times on VHS.
When "Seeking a Friend..." came out, Canadian critics especially lined up to say it was a ripoff, that a far superior version existed already.
Well, after rewatching, all i can say is... nope. As much as I love so many of the players, these days Last Night plays drawn out and particularly cheap. I think the nostalgia of my days of just really starting to get info film still keeps this above water, however this revisit was a big letdown.
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This truly deserves its place near the top of the tragically short list of great home-grown Canadian films. Sometimes it seems like the only thing Canadians know how to make is a high-concept ensemble dramas. It's a perfectly Canadian thing to do: Pick an easy, one-line hook to hang the film on, and then fill it with all the great local actors you can find (you know for damn sure they're available) turning the set into a democratic melting pot where everyone gets their turn to shine. That's the theory, anyway. I've seen these films sink (This Beautiful City) and swim (The Red Violin) but I don't think I've ever seen the form utilized with this much mastery before. The…
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As I was drifting off to sleep last night, I happened to start pondering a catastrophic solar event where the sun just blips out of existence (a scientific impossibility, I know; but it was late, and minds wander). What would happen to society if they knew they only had a few hours, or a few minutes before the Earth was destroyed? How quickly, how ferociously, how widespread, would rioting and wanton destruction occur? What would I do? Who would I see? I quickly realized that I was panicking myself back awake, so I bargained with my brain that by giving Don McKellar's Last Night another watch in the morning, it would stop worrying about the apocalypse and let me get…
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I´ve seen this movie once...
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I loved this back when it came out, watched it many times on VHS.
When "Seeking a Friend..." came out, Canadian critics especially lined up to say it was a ripoff, that a far superior version existed already.
Well, after rewatching, all i can say is... nope. As much as I love so many of the players, these days Last Night plays drawn out and particularly cheap. I think the nostalgia of my days of just really starting to get info film still keeps this above water, however this revisit was a big letdown.
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This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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Had been recommended this by a fellow disaster movie enthusiast and was not disappointed. The movie follows a collection of people whom are spending their last night of Earth before its burnt to a crisp at midnight. It runs in chapters from 6pm and runs hour by hour what they are all up to. Whilst there's scenes of violence and people losing control, most of it is spent with Don & Sandra whom meet per chance as Sandra tries to get home to her husband and gets her car stolen. We meet Don's family (having a Christmas day celebration because - well why not) and friends whom all intercross eachother without really knowing it. It's cleverly constructed and thought provoking. I…
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This truly deserves its place near the top of the tragically short list of great home-grown Canadian films. Sometimes it seems like the only thing Canadians know how to make is a high-concept ensemble dramas. It's a perfectly Canadian thing to do: Pick an easy, one-line hook to hang the film on, and then fill it with all the great local actors you can find (you know for damn sure they're available) turning the set into a democratic melting pot where everyone gets their turn to shine. That's the theory, anyway. I've seen these films sink (This Beautiful City) and swim (The Red Violin) but I don't think I've ever seen the form utilized with this much mastery before. The…
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The world is due to end at midnight. Set in Toronto, we follow a variety of characters as they spend their last six hours on earth. There's Patrick who wants to be alone, much to the sadness of his parents, Sandra who is trying to get across town to be with her husband, and Craig who just wants to tick off all of his sexual fantasies while he still can. There's no trying to save the world (or background as to why), so we're free to engage with these characters and experience the range of emotions they go through as the end approaches. With the cream of Canadian talent - Don McKellar, Sandra Oh, Callum Keith Rennie, Sarah Polley and David Cronenberg - all aboard, this is a vital, low key, but highly effective apocalyptic drama that really is worth seeking out.
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4 out of 5 (B+)
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Some interesting conversations set a pretty interesting backdrop of the world ending at midnight. I liked most of the stories individually but it never quite came together for me.