"Last Round" happens to be one of Mr. Thomas Vinterberg first films and it's an impressively well conducted production. This graduation film doesn't much work much as a preview for his future works to come although it has some similarities. It's almost a square format, fast paced and a little distant from the conventions set up by him and his colleagues from Dogma '95. The story, if given more time to be developed, would be something of great substance.
It starts with Lars (Thomas Bo Larsen), a man about to travel abroad and never go back but changes his mind minutes before embarking on a plane, to spend some time with his work colleagues (a man and a woman) and enjoy it in the best possible way by using a great amount of money he stole from his boss. At first we think it's just an ordinary trip but later on it's revealed that Lars is sick - though it's impossible to know if this is true or not because his character is a reckless fella who lies, steals and does whatever he wants. In the meantime, the trio party hard, go whatever they please and Lars pays a staying at the most expensive hotel room so the couple of friends can have a more intimate moment while he talks to the manager and dictates a postcard to his family.
Great filmmaking, impressive from time to time (a film school student having access to film at an airport and on a plane is quite an achievement), starring good actors, interesting to follow but it's a little shallow and lacking in depth. The kind of story told by many pictures out there and with more impact. But Vinterberg never fails in making a captivating movie, with suspenseful shots and a peculiar sense of humor. But we can attest that he blossomed greatly going from here to "Festen", "Dear Wendy", "Submarino" and "The Hunt" just to name a few. 8/10.
