One Last Thing...

"One Last Thing" is that rare thing, a small film that's big on entertainment while never compromising its intimate feel. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and then you'll laugh and cry some more. "One Last Thing" takes the story of a teenager, dying of cancer, and turn it into a celebration of life that is neither sappy, nor cliché. On the verge of accepting a charitable organization's last wish of a fishing trip with his football hero, the young Dylan throws caution to the wind and states his real wish on live TV: to spend a weekend alone with supermodel Nikki Sinclair. Michael Angarano ("Seabiscuit," "Lords Of Dogstown," "Will & Grace) as the dying Dylan, Cynthia Nixon ("Sex and The City") as his widowed mom, and hot, hot, hot newcomer Sunny Mabrey ("xXx State of the Union") as the gorgeous but troubled model, bring amazing chemistry to Barry Stringfellow's remarkable script. Deftly directed by Alex Steyermark ("Prey For Rock & Roll"), the cast is rounded out by the likes of Gina Gershon, Wyclef Jean, Johnny Messner, Coati Mundi, Michael Rispoli. And added bonus is a wonderful, uncredited turn by Ethan Hawk as Dylan's father who also died from cancer a few years before. I heard about "One Last Thing," of all places, on my classical radio station KUSC here in L.A. Evening host Jim Svedja was so impressed by it at a screening that he took time from his usual musical broadcast to rave about the flick and interview Mr. Stringfellow, Mr. Steyemark and Ms. Mabrey (tough duty I'll bet). He even offered a money back guarantee. Alas, HD-Net the company that released "One Last Thing" apparently lacked his good taste and enthusiasm. After a bare bones release, the film was quickly released on DVD via their "genius" day-date release policy. Fortunately, the DVD is widely available and the small screen doesn't diminish the big pleasure that is "One Last Thing." I don't have Mr. Svedja's deep pockets, but I guarantee you it won't disappoint you.

One of the most wonderful and touching movies i have ever seen. I am not a crier at movies, but this one got me. The cast does a phenomenal job, and despite what some say, have an excellent feel for how to handle the film's dual genre. Michael Angarano does a superb job as the terminally ill boy, and his two buddies Slap and Ricky( Gideon Glick and Matt Bush) are in a way the best part of the movie, playing likable and hormone driven best pals. Cynthia Nixon as the young boy's grieving mother gives a deeply moving performance. The on screen relationship between Nixon and Angarano is authentic and a treasure to watch. I have seen some rather harsh critique of this film, and frankly cannot fathom it.The film splices comedy and drama well, and creates a beautiful portrayal of a young boy's last days around those who are closest to him, and his last wish(ill leave you to watch the movie to find out about this). The song at the end, Wyclef Jean's "Heavens in New York" is beautiful, and devastatingly poignant.

I did not think this would be worth watching, so I avoided it. It was only last year and this was the only thing on that I attempted to watch this film. The film it self is about a terminally ill boy who's last wish is to go on a date with a model. The story is truly touching and deserves recommendation for that. Anyone who loves a movie will love this movie with its humour and dramatic experiences found all through the movie. I think this should go down as one of the better attempts from people to make Comedy/Dramas this year. The only drama I can remember that is WAY better then it in this century is Garden State. Overall this film is a good watch and I think fans of cinema will really get a kick out of seeing. You SHOULD see this film.

I went to see this movie on the recommendation of a friend and didn't know what quite to expect - was it another 'teen flick' or something better. It certainly was better. It had humor but also some poignant sadness. The casting, performances, photography, all were balanced and worked well. More important, it dealt with the very real heartache of facing the loss of someone dear - something I had faced recently. The story characters displayed very 'real' reactions to the situation - not some phony approach. It touched on many of the questions one faces in this situation - ones that often strain your fundamental values. With all that, there were many good laughs. All-in-all, certainly well worth seeing and deserving of a wide audience.

The concept for this little Indie film - the dying wish of a teenager opening spiritual doors - is far from original, but Barry Stringfellow's strong script as directed by Alex Steyermark (whose only other directorial venture was 'Prey for Rock and Roll', though he has been on the crew of some very fine films like 'Pieces of April' etc) results in a far from ordinary drama. For those who have not seen Cynthia Nixon expand beyond her 'Sex and the City' role, this performance will be enlightening! Dylan (Michael Angarano) is a young teenager diagnosed with terminal cancer, a fact that he shares with his loony buddies (Gideon Glick and Matt Bush) who support him with silly but genuine companionship. Dylan's mother Carol (Cynthia) is still reeling from her husband's death (Ethan Hawke) and facing the loss of the one remaining part of her family is devastating but her strength of character keeps a positive support for Dylan. When Dylan is informed by his doctor (Brian Stokes Mitchell) that further radiation and chemotherapy are useless, Dylan places his desire for living on one last thing...he is on a TV show where dying wishes are granted, and rather than the asking for expected fishing trip with football hero Jason (Johnny Messner), he opts for a weekend alone with supermodel Nikki Sinclair (Sunny Mabrey). Nikki, we discover, has problems and demons of her own and her agent Arlene (Gina Gershon), in trying to rescue her faltering career, advises the reluctant Nikki to visit Dylan in his home in Pennsylvania - for positive PR purposes. Once they meet Dylan is determined to have his one last thing, gains money and a room (a gift form Jason) in New York and travels with his sidekicks to the Big Apple to cash in on his prize. The Nikki he finds is the wasted girl down at heels and though she feels tenderness toward Dylan she tells him to just go home. Dylan's disease progresses to the point of final hospitalization when Nikki re-enters the sad room and changes things.

The power that changes this predictable story lies in the extraordinarily sensitive performances of Michael Angarano, who plays Dylan with a twinkle in his eye and allows us to feel his burden with resorting to bathos, and the always-impressive Cynthia Nixon whose performance as Dylan's mother is the most understated and heart wrenching on film. She owns the screen whenever she is on. The supporting cast is strong (though Gideon Glick and Matt Bush are allowed to become obnoxious and would have benefited from some stronger direction). In all, this is a striking, simple, compelling film that rises well above its premise to become an important statement about death and dying and the power of hope and love and family. Grady Harp