The Last Kiss

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The Last Kiss
promotional poster for The Last Kiss
Directed by	Tony Goldwyn
Produced by	Gary Lucchesi Tom Rosenberg Marcus Viscidi
Written by	Paul Haggis (screenplay Gabriele Muccino (L' Ultimo Bacio)
Starring	Zach Braff Jacinda Barrett Casey Affleck Rachel Bilson
Distributed by	- USA - DreamWorks - non-USA - Lakeshore Entertainment
Release date(s)	September 15, 2006
Running time	102 minutes
Language	English
Budget	$20 million
IMDb profile

The Last Kiss is a 2006 film which is based on the 2001 Italian film L'ultimo bacio, directed by Gabriele Muccino. The film stars Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Casey Affleck and Rachel Bilson. The screenplay was written by Paul Haggis, and directed by Tony Goldwyn. The plot revolves around a young couple and their friends struggling with adulthood and issues of relationships and commitment. Like Garden State, Braff was involved with the film's soundtrack. The first teaser trailer was released on zachbraff.com in mid-June 2006.

1 Cast
2 Plot
3 Reception
4 Box Office
5 Trivia
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Cast

Zach Braff as Michael
Rachel Bilson as Kim
Jacinda Barrett as Jenna
Casey Affleck as Chris
Eric Christian Olsen as Kenny
Blythe Danner as Anna
Tom Wilkinson as Stephen

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Michael and his live-in girlfriend Jenna appear to be enjoying the perfect relationship. Jenna became pregnant just prior to the opening of the film and her parents are pressuring the pair to get married. Michael, however, claims work pressures and Jenna's dissertation rendered it an inopportune time for marriage. The real reason, unbeknownst to anyone, is that he feels trapped and bored. Although he considers Jenna an ideal companion, Michael is harboring second thoughts.

On a chance encounter at a wedding, Michael meets Kim, whom he confides in about his relationship. Kim guesses he is about to break up with Jenna and becomes flirtatious. While Michael becomes intrigued by Kim's youthfulness, openness, and free-spirit, he does not succumb to temptation (yet). Eventually Michael and Kim part ways with Kim telling Michael where she attends school and where she usually hangs out.

Michael eventually seeks her out but tells Kim he was in the area only because of a client meeting. Kim senses his interest and, while Michael drives her home, invites him to a fraternity party. Michael accepts. Back in the office, Michael constructs an excuse to be away from Jenna on the night of the party. He asks Chris, his friend and coworker, to cover for him in case Jenna calls. Chris suspects Michael has met another woman and wishes to avoid becoming involved, as his own relationship has begun to falter. Michael denies the existence of another woman and explains that he would be out with a college buddy.

On the night of the party, Michael and Kim have a great time and kiss several times. After the party, Kim asks Michael to spend the night at her dorm. Guilt over cheating on Jenna prevailed over temptation, and he refused. Unfortunately for Michael, Izzy's father passed away that night. Izzy was a mutual friend of Michael and Jenna. Several friends and acquaintances, including Jenna and Chris, went to Izzy's home with condolences. There, Jenna realizes Michael was not with Chris. Jenna confronts Chris but Chris refuses to answer her questions, which only fuels Jenna's suspicions that Michael has indeed gone astray.

When Michael arrives home that night, Jenna becomes confrontational. Although Michael first denies he was out with Kim, he eventually admits he had seen another woman. Although he points out he didn't sleep with her and that the outing meant nothing, Jenna packs up and leaves their apartment to be with her parents.

Alone, depressed and desperate, Michael receives a call from Kim. Kim apologizes for being demanding earlier and asks him to come over for conversation only. Michael agrees. Upon arrival, the pair immediately become intimate and engage in sex. The next morning, Michael tries sneaking away without waking Kim. But he had left his keys behind and, when he returns, Kim becomes upset, asking why he wasn't saying goodbye. Michael tells her simply the he did not want to wake her, as he had to be at work early.

At work, Michael plans on leaving early to seek out Jenna. On his way out, Kim visits his office unannounced, wanting to give him a mixtape CD. Michael confides he still loves Jenna who was, in fact, pregnant with his baby. He apologizes to Kim for not telling her about Jenna's pregnancy and leaves her in search of Jenna.

Michael pulls up to Jenna's parents' home, and Jenna's father gives a stern lecture about commitment and adulthood and offers advice on winning Jenna’s forgiveness. The father urges Michael to be completely honest and never stop trying. Equipped with his wisdom, Michael goes into Jenna's room. On the verge of reconciliation, Jenna asks if he had sex with Kim during the party. Michael says no. Then, remembering her father's advice, he confesses he went back later that night. Even though Michael claims he was only being honest, Jenna becomes inconsolable and storms out of the house and back to their apartment.

Michael follows her back and finds himself locked out. He stakes out the front porch until Jenna agrees to talk. Slowly but surely, she begins to relent, first tossing out a blanket during a cold evening, then dropping off a sandwich the next day. During one evening, Jenna breaks her silence and speaks to Michael through the closed door. She laments about mourning the loss of the relationship like the loss of someone's life. It is unclear how many days it took, but she eventually opens the door and Michael goes inside.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Reception

Critical reaction to The Last Kiss was mixed. On Rottentomatoes, 44% of the "Best of the best" critics gave the film a favorable review although it received "Two Thumbs Up" on the Ebert & Roeper program (with guest critic Aisha Tyler sitting in for Roger Ebert).

Some lauded the film for its painfully realistic portrayal of relationships for the late 20-something crowd and for its improvement upon the original Italian film. Others praised the film for its humor, dialogue and strong cast and acting.

Yet, many critics felt the film's characters were shallow, stereotypical and unlikeable. Some complained the film paled in comparision to Zach Braff's previous film Garden State. Still, others believed infidelity and graphic sex were unsuitable for the romantic comedy genre.

[edit] Box Office

As of 10 November 2006 the film has grossed US$11,614,790 domestically and $2,795,560 in foreign markets. ^[1]

[edit] Trivia

Rachel Bilson called for a body double during the sex scenes because she was uncomfortable being nude in front of the camera.^[2]

Rachel McAdams was the first casting choice for "Jenna" but was forced to drop out due to commitments which she felt very unhappy. Jacinda Barrett replaced her.