It's been a long time, since I've really seen a movie, I liked, as much as this one. We all know how these execution movies end, and they really can't any other way. I didn't think I'd enjoy this, as much as I did. Last Light is in an almost different class to other death row movies, and there has been many other good ones- Dead Man Walking springs straight to mind. But this low budget flick, steered by one of the greatest actors of his generation, has something special about it. Sutherland's ex con, character from the get go, where we find him in the hole, smothered in faecies, somehow wants us to sympathize with him, but we know too, there is a manipulation playing about.. Newbie prison guard (Whitaker-solid) becomes Sutherland's minder, until that big dreaded day and the end of his wait of execution. Of course, a friendship forms, but becomes more, than that. What really works in contrast, is Whitaker's fascinating and strong willed character, the sort that doesn't take, you know, from anyone, even going up against a corrupt collegue (Clancy Brown) drawing a few parallels to his electric performance as a prison guard in The Shawshank Redemption. I'm certain, director Rob Reiner cast him in the latter, after seeing Brownin this. Sutherland, who always holds his own, an actor in so many great roles, makes and directs good films, where sadly this would be hidden under much obscurity. Just ask someone to name of string of excecution films, and see Last Light comes up. A shame, as this should be on everyone's radar. A truly inspiring, affecting, movie experience.
