The Last Song Review: Don’t Judge a Movie by it’s Disney Starlet
April 5, 2010 by Trisha Leigh
Filed under feature overlay, Movies
I have to say, embarrassment colored my response when people asked yesterday, “What movie are you going to see?”
“The Last Song,” I mumbled while I looked anywhere but at his or her face.
“That Miley Cyrus movie?” The responses came with incredulous tones, mocking, or laughter.
This got my dander up. I met their eye. “No. It’s the new Nicholas Sparks movie.”
You see, for me there’s a distinction. I am a thirty-year-old woman with no children, so honestly I don’t think much about Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana, whatever she wants to be called. I don’t watch Disney on a daily basis. Does Nicholas Sparks have a reputation for writing love stories that appeal largely to females? Yes. But, has he ever let me down when I plunked down my $10? Nope. Sure hasn’t.
Think about it.
The Notebook – Far and away his best effort, love the actors, love the story, cry through half of it but would fight a ninja if he tried to take my DVD copy.
A Walk to Remember – Second best in my opinion. Mandy Moore possess more talent as an actress than singer, and she does a lovely job in this role. Again, cried. Loved it.
Message in a Bottle – I was young when this came out, but I remember sitting in the theatre while the credits rolled and thinking “He dies?” It may have been my first experience (besides Romeo and Juliet) of witnessing a story where love doesn’t always work out. Its a hard lesson. It’d be better if we learned it sooner, I think.
I won’t go on about his more recent accomplishments, Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe, because this review is all ready off track.
I wrote all of that to say this: Give The Last Song a chance. Don’t avoid going simply because it’s Miley Cyrus, an excuse I’ve heard several times from a heap of my friends. For one thing, I think we’ve got to give the girl a chance. She’s never done anything besides Hannah Montana. Doesn’t she deserve one shot at something a little more meaty? I say yes. And she wasn’t bad. She doesn’t detract from the film, has some cute moments, and her and her co-star and real life boyfriend Liam Hensworth have believable chemistry on-screen. She does a better job than him most of the time, as a matter of fact. My only complaint, honestly? She needs to breathe through her nose. It’s hard to look serious, thoughtful, etc with your lips hanging open.
The rest of the cast is phenomenal. I expect both solid choices in roles and top of the line performances from Greg Kinnear and Kelly Preston. They deliver more than believable performances of parents in their situation. The family is endearing. Bobby Coleman, who plays Ronnie’s little brother, is adorable. I don’t know where he came from (please don’t say Disney) but he’s genuine, funny, and brought forth emotion and tears from me like it was his job.
The story centers around Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) a just-graduated high school student who is angry and her father for leaving when her parents divorced. She’s a talented pianist, sought out by Julliard, but no longer wishes to play. To spite her father? Maybe. I think because it brings back too many memories of when they were happy.
Once at the beach, she meets Will (Liam Hensworth) and they fall in love. Yes, it happens quickly. This doesn’t bother me too much for two reasons. One, we only have a couple of hours and the central plot-line revolves around Ronnie’s family. Two, they’re eighteen. I don’t want to fess up how fast I fell in love at that age. It’s a stretch, but a small one.
Just when she and Will have come together, working through small family and friend issues, Ronnie finds out her father is ill. She throws everything she can into helping him, the thought of losing him finally bringing the walls between them crashing down. Will makes a mistake, causing her to push him out of her life. I won’t spoil the ending. You should go see it.
There is nothing inappropriate about this movie, so I say it’s safe for all those Disney fans. Anyone younger than ten will most likely be bored and perhaps affected a little by the subject, especially the emotional outburst of the little boy.
Solid B from me, like most Nicholas Sparks movies. If you enjoy reading his books or have been entertained and moved by his other screen adaptations, this one won’t disappoint.
Am I right? Wrong? Just another Nicholas Sparks fangirl? Let me know in the comments!
I loved the book i cried ALOT so i do say that its deeper and more emotional than the movie but the movie it self also made me cry the father daughter relationshps breaks you down. Leam is HOT so a 24 yr old like me has some eye candy even if hes young…LOL the one thing i didnt like is that during certain parts the only thing i can focus on was her teeth, i hadnt noticed them before i knew they were big but wow they’re pretty distracting. Love Them both overall
Finally a decent review – Thanks for that!
The Last Song was quite enjoyable to watch and despite of what the critics and all so called wannabe’s say – Miley has done well.
I must admit though that the book is much deeper and more touching but in the movies (as well as Miley’s) defense, you have to know that the actual screenplay was written before the book – so we never know what details they might have left out on purpose or what so ever.
In any case the movie isn’t as bad as the so called “critics” almost beg you to believe it out of 5 Stars i would give a solid 3.8 and if you (or planning to) “dodge” this movie, just because Miley is in it – your loss!
Miley Cyrus will never earn what she deserves, due to all that prejudging and stuff that’s in people’s minds. But tbh she’s a inspiring young lady blessed with several talent’s, otherwise she wouldn’t be where she is now – Disney or not, for me she doesn’t need to proof anything anymore when it comes to that – People judge because of out hate and jealousy, wouldn’t she be America’s most beloved Teen noone would ever care.
omg i love the ovie
Thank you for doing a good and pleasant review. I have read the book several times and really enjoyed what he(Sparks) did with the characters. My husband and I both 70+ went to the movie and really liked it. Miley certainly stepped out of her Hannah role. I also like her last album and use it every moring to do the treadmill. I will buy the DVD when it comes.
Why does everyone hate Miley? I thought she was great in The Last Song. I cried quite a bit. If she is so bad then how did she move me to tears? I’m 41, and thought she did great. Isn’t she a billionaire? Is she hated for that? This movie was never boring and was interesting. loved the whole cast. If it came out before dear john it would have made more.
I think the movie was AHHHMMMAAAZZZIIIINNNGGG.
I think Miley did wonderful and so did the other actors.
And I think Miley’s voice is incredible.
And, I love Nicholas Sparks books, and movies.
My fave book of Nicholas Sparks was Dear John, but it was the most horrible movie of books turned movies.
But The Last Song, movie and book, was incredible.
A must watch.
I loved the movie! & good review!
I agree with most said in this review. Many will alienate this movie 1)Because Miley Cyrus is in it, and 2) It’s Nicholas Sparks. They don’t give her a chance. And yes, it’s Miley’s first non-Hannah Montana role, and it shouldn’t be expected that she’ll deliver an Oscar worthy performance. It’s a step up, and that should be good enough. Personally, I loved the movie, especially Bobby Coleman. There were tons of cute little romantic parts, and just enough depth to it. My only complaint is that it seemed very rushed, but I suppose that always happens when a book becomes a movie.
great review!! it’s nice to read about the other qualities of the film besides Miley being in it. Im 27 and have never watched an entire ep of Hannah Montana and frankly find Mileys music annoying lol but I do love Nicholas Sparks so i wanted to be able to give the movie a full chance but every time. Then the commercial comes on I hear her voice and i just dont want to spend $$ to cringe every time she opens her mouth HAHA! BUT thanks to your review when it comes out on DVD i will most DEF. rent it and give it a real chance.
It is no Notebook, but the movie was ok, not notebook great, but ok. It is just miley cyrus CAN NOT ACT. And her teeth look horrible up there on the movie screen.
Well done good review, I’m waiting for the movie release because the movie hasn’t been advertised here at all yet & is not being release ’till 31st April.
I personally think you are right. I have read the book “The Last Song” It is the best book ever! but i dont carre if the actress is Miley even though she is acting a little skanky doesnt mean the book or movie isnt good! i cant wait to see it!
I can’t belive it!!! Thaa was the worst book based movie i have ever seen……I mean if you are going to do the best you can at least show how the writer wrote how he died! That was horrible……I cried for the book but the movie was not worth wasting my tears on!!!!!
I agree w u I saw the last song and loved it
i absolutely loved this book! cried the entire ending! im hoping the movie is just as good.