The Last Word

Martin Ryan is a Detroit newpaper columnist who writes about 'Scenes from Everyday Life.' Some of the subjects of his columns don't like what he writes, and one person has even gotten killed because of what Ryan wrote. Sarah is a stripper who agrees to be interviewed, but she doesn't like what Ryan writes. It doesn't matter, because they begin a romantic relationship, even though Ryan is married (if they showed Ryan's wife I don't remember; during the first half of the movie I couldn't figure out what was going on half the time). Doc is a former mobster who arranges to have a movie made based on the columns, and he, Ryan and Sarah go to Hollywood. There, Sarah meets an old friend, an Irish former stripper (Roma Downey), and we find out she has a past she didn't tell Ryan about. Ryan tries to Make sure Sarah's past won't be shown too negatively just to make the movie better, but Doc is in debt to some goons who have followed him, and he has to do what the producers want. I was looking forward to seeing more of Richard Dreyfuss, but that didn't happen. Also, when the time came to actually film the movie-within-a-movie, we met Cybill Shepherd, who played the actress who played Sarah. She was surely going to add more. And Jimmy Smits played the actor doing Ryan's part, but we never saw him except when he was playing Ryan. Just when it seemed there was a lot more to accomplish, the movie suddenly ended. Sarah liked painting, so the movie may appeal to those who like art that doesn't actually look like what it depicts. Fans of the music of Toni Childs (whoever that is) may also like the movie. There is some good stunt work in flashbacks, if you like seeing a man set on fire. Personally, I just didn't see that this movie reached its potential.

This movie, starring Michelle Burke of "Little Men" TV series, is about a journalist with connections to the mob who falls for a stripper with a dark past. His best friend then drags him to L.A. with the intent of becoming actors.

The movie sounds like an interesting story, but the plot drags with no suspense and action. There is a lack of emotion and intrigue, with no surprises. What is strange about this movie is that we have big stars like Cybill Shepherd, Richard Dreyfuss and Jimmy Smits appear as extras, next to lesser known actors who are the leads. Plus, the movie poster depicts Dreyfuss's picture as the largest, yet, he only has about 4 min of screen time.

I was bored one night and decided to watch this film, as I enjoy watching some TV works by Michelle Burke and Roma Downey of "Touched by an Angel" TV series. But, this movie was, unfortunately, pretty mediocre and dull. I would overlook this one.

Grade F

Don't miss this one. It has a behind the scenes of Hollywood storyline, celebrity cameos, mob action, beautiful music, threatened friendships, but what makes it a must see is the love story between Timothy Hutton and Michelle Burke (Dazed and Confused). They fall helplessly in love despite the fact that he is recently separated from his wife, and she is a stripper with a dark past. It's no masterpiece by any means, but interesting entertainment and a good love story with a realistic ending.

The Timothy Hutton character is a moral monster. The movie is about whether he can change, but it fails to engage you in this. For one thing, Hutton remains self-centered and haughty. Nothing to like nor learn from here. The Michelle Burke character is sweet enough (until a stupid plot twist at the end spoils it); she desperately needs a helpful relationship. That she would try for most of the movie to find it with the Hutton character is not at all convincing.

The portrayal of Hollywood in all its hypocrisy and twisting of culture to the lowest common denominator of attracting viewers is stale, adding nothing to what has become a Hollyood cliche of Hollywood.

THE LAST WORD is by accounts a terrible movie. It has a score of 4,8 and only 7 reviews with the most recent for it (July 2007) that gives it a 1 and two that give it 10s so it's certainly suspicious. Last June I finally saw it and you certainly don't have to think like the crowd... I found it good.

Martin Ryan (Timothy Hutton) is a writer and journalist that in the beginning is seen signing his new book in a nightclub when his friend Doc (Joe Pantoliano) is seeking his help because two mob hitmen want to break Doc's legs for no specific reason. Ryan falls for stripper Kiki Taylor (Cybill Shepherd) unknown of the fact that Kiki has mob connections just when he has to write a new book about the subject. As Ryan writes he uncovers various truths and Doc makes him meet Stan (Tony Goldwyn), an influent movie producer that can make his book in a movie. After the book is written the movie is made and Martin will become richer and finally with the woman of his dreams.

The acting was good, not surprising with Hutton, Pantoliano, Goldwyn and Richard Dreyfuss in a five minute cameo. The concept fresh for 1995 and the atmosphere just like the one you find in at least 100 other movies of the genre. Not to be missed if you stumble upon it, and I think that OllieSuave-007 is talking of a completely different movie, so he shouldn't be trusted.