The Last Word

Harriet Lauler (Shirley MacLaine) is an opinionated controlling rich old lady. She's retired after running an advertising company. Her family is estranged and nobody likes her. After OD'ing on her meds, she starts being concerned about her obituary. She hires newspaper obit writer Anne Sherman (Amanda Seyfried) to write one for her.

After talking to the at-risk girls, the story end point is more than obvious. There is also an obvious route for this movie. It's two great actresses on a road trip to self-discovery. Shirley MacLaine has made a career out of this character. This movie just needs some good writing. The writing is sometimes good standard stuff but sometimes gets clunky. The two leads usually are able to work out some good chemistry but some scene falls completely flat. For example, Anne is on a date when Harriet confronts her about her writing. It's an important moment but the date keep budding into it. He's a third wheel who keeps causing them to drive off course. Then there is the main third wheel, the little girl. She's the quintessential sassy black girl. She gets overshadowed despite the movie wanting her to be the breakout star. Harriet's reconnection with her daughter ends with a weird fake laugh. The audience is just like the other characters, looking at Harriet side-eyed. At the end of the day, I just want this to be better. The writing needs to be better.

The Last Word - 2017 Streaming on Apple 🍎 TV My Rating. 7/10

This movie was a delightful little discovery that I hadn't known existed till recently when researching the great catalogue of movies and television projects of Shirley MacLaine who is still working into her 90's.

It's not a great film but I think it's a good one and I found it very entertaining How often have we attended a funeral or read an obituary that glorifies the departed even if those very close to the deceased know that a few inconvenient truths have been left out mercifully so not to tarnish the reputation of the person or the family we are there for.

Stuart Ross Fink who I don't think has written anything else has written a humorous script with a touch of pathos .

I think he points out that it's never to late to change and let people see there is good in everyone and that the antidote to isolation is connection.

The impressive cast id headed by Shirley MacLaine playing the role of affluent and cantankerous Harriet Lauler. Harriet is a retired advertising entrepreneur who has made a fortune bossing everyone around and eventually alienating everyone in her life.

Harriet is planning to exit life gracefully but becomes interested in the work of a young woman journalist Anne played by the delightful Amanda Seyfried.

Anne writes the most flattering obituaries for some of Harriet's acquaintances who as Harriet informs her were as disliked and prickly as she is.

To make certain that her eulogy will be worthy of her position Harriet commissions the reluctant local newspaper journalist, Anne Sherman, to do the job while she is alive.

However keeping Harriet happy, is easier said than done and Anne soon discovers that Harriet appears to have burnt all her bridges with family and colleagues .

Her reputation for power and control have alienated Harriet to the extent that she'd be lucky if anyone attended her funeral.

But ! Just like Charles Dickens's Scrooge while there's life there's hope and Harriet finds she can change with good deeds and a newly discovered sense of humour.

Harriet also finds a part time job as a disc jockey which charms more than her audience when Anne the journalist meets Robin Sands the station manager played by Thomas Sadoski who just happens to be Amanda Seyfried's husband in real life.

Compared to a few movies around at the moment The Last Word has fun entertainment and good performances .

I haven't seen Shirley MacLaine look more relaxed in a movie for years it's well worth a look.

She obviously enjoyed appearing in this movie there is room for good entertainment it doesn't have to be great , good is ok.

This is a gem of a movie with a slow start that builds in appreciation as the story unfolds. It has a surprising array of talented actors, and they all do well. Shirley Maclaine is a masterful actress and does not disappoint in this film. She plays a woman who has always controlled everything in her life and now is focused on having her final say, hence the title. Amanda Seyfried plays a young obit writer and as always, fully commits to the role and she shines. The two make this an enjoyable and thoughtful experience. It isn't an action or popcorn movie, and didn't make much of a splash when it debuted but has a new life in streaming. It's about living life, facing challenges and being willing to take risks in life without fear of failure.

Shirley MacLaine did a wonderful job. That is it. The movie in itself was predictable and they of course had to throw in a little kid that was quite annoying. But Shirley MacLaine was great!

This film tells the story of an elderly woman who is difficult and controlling. One day, she comes up with the idea of controlling what her obituary should look like. Therefore, she hires an obituary writer to work on the last words that would summarise her existence on Earth.

The first five minutes should have been a warning sign for me. There is little dialog, as the screen shows Shirley MacLaine's character, Harriet being grumpy by herself. Then, she is as difficult as can be, evoking no sympathy for her from me.

I can't quite bear her creating artificial relationships with Amanda Seyfried and the little girl either, as their bond with Harriet is contrived and unconvincing. Am I really to believe that you can chat up a little girl in the school yard, and subsequently take the girl on a one day trip without parental consent? The whole subplot of the little girl is seriously flawed.

The story is slow, and there is not enough content to fill the screen time. I felt seriously bored. I almost dosed off when Harriet does something similar on the sofa. Then something unbelievable happens. I cannot possibly imagine anyone does what Amanda Seyfried does in that situation. Her lack of action is entirely absurd and senseless.

Normally I like a brain off film with a predictable plot, but "The Last Word" manages to bore and irritate me.