The Last Shift

There was nothing, absolutely nothing in this film that could be classed as funny. it was a very realistic look at the working class man, and the problems troubled kids face. it was a good movie, very touching, great acting and pulled at my heartstrings.

it had a start and a middle then the credits rolled, if it was an episode of a series youd be interested to watch the next episode.

Astute observational indie about two guys who are stuck. Neither can admit that anyone is worse off, on a lower rung of America's economic ladder. They find themselves working together at a slow fast-food drive-through in a town that's been left behind. The elder of the two -- played with almost painful truthfulness by Richard Jenkins -- is a crumbling white guy who has been serving up low-nutrition burgers and fries for 38 years and thinks he's looking forward to his last shift. His trainee is a gifted young black man -- skilfully presented by Shane Paul McGhie as a charmer with a chip on his shoulder -- whose intelligence can't save him from the consequences of his resentment.

Written and directed with skill and sensitivity by documentarian Andrew Cohn, this is an understated state-of-the-nation piece that makes its points without ever resorting to polemic.

SYNOPSIS: It's Stanley's (Richard Jenkins) last week at his fast food job and he's stuck training a young rebellious kid to take over his job.

REVIEW: This film strikes me as someone having an excess of money and so they paid big to one well-respected actor and paid big to have it play in theaters. I say this because although I didn't hate the time I spent watching the film, I just sat there and thought of how pointless the film was. There were a couple moments that the film was grasping at a point, but it fell flat. It felt like there was an arc to be made with both of the characters, but nothing came of it. I mean, how much of a change can you make within a week?

If you're looking for something to have in the background that you don't need to pay attention to while you do other things, this is the one. It's a background film. 5/10.

A film with many different layers. What is fair? Is the American dream possible to realize for people on the bottom? The movie contains some laughter but I wouldn't call it funny. Still worth watching because of the good acting and clever use of a low budget.

Richard Jenkins was great, he nailed this role. This film won't get him an Oscar but based on his performance you should give it a watch. As far as the movie goes, it was nothing really over the top or spectacular. Just a simple film with a decent story and good acting. 6 stars.