Customer Reviews

Final

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Leary's, Davis's and Scott's best work, bar none. The screenwriter, Bruce McIntosh, also did a brilliant job. I've seen Leary miscast in so many films that it was wonderful finally seeing him in one that showed all facets of his talent. He should not be in light, frothy romantic comedies, which he's done, and this certainly is not a light, frothy, romantic comedy. I'm not even sure he should be in gangster films and I've seen him in several of those (ok at best). He and Hope Davis are great together here and come together better as a couple than he has come together with any other actress in a film. I've seen him in romance vehicles with other actresses, like Sandra Bullock, that were just dismal. He needs to do biting satire like he did in "The Ref" or outright layered, nuanced drama, like he does here. (I also loved his standup comedy act.) Leary's character, Bill, wakes up from a coma in a psychiatric hospital with delusions that he is about to be executed by some futuristic society which has unfrozen him from the past. However, under Hope Davis's care as Ann, his psychiatrist, he starts remembering trauma from his pre-coma life, including the death of his father, a break up with his fiance, and a drunken binge while driving. He starts to recover from his mental breakdown yet his delusions don't entirely disappear, surprisingly enough. Or are they delusions? Great blues music throughout. I'd heard nothing about this film and tried it out simply based on what I read on the box and Leary's, Scott's and Davis's involvement. I wasn't expecting a perfect 10 of a film but I sure got it! Hubby absolutely loved it too.

What at first looks to be a relatively standard drama of a patient in a mental institution turns out to be something far removed from that in this intriguing science fiction film. And make no mistake, this IS science fiction. Once the basic premise is revealed, it is crystal clear that what is really going on here challenges the main character and the viewer as well in their moral priorities.

The main character, Tyler, is played by Dennis Leary, who turns in a solid performance as someone whose paranoid fantasies of his current situation, ostensibly in said mental institution, fuse with his memories of a lost love from years before. His doctor is Hope Davis, here proving her versatility as, at first, a removed scientist, then gradually warming to her subject.

The doctor's sister is also a patient, but one confined because of a physical illness, not for reasons of mental deterioration. This is a key element in the puzzle of this film as it unravels, as is the ice-cold director of the institution and the complete geographical isolation of the institution itself.

As Tyler's memories become clearer, he simultaneously moves closer to the doctor emotionally. This very intelligent plot device is critical in the development of the story. The beginning is a bit slow, because of what, as mentioned, appears to be a fairly routine scenario. But stick around; it gets MUCH better.

A really well thought out script and fine acting make this a highly recommended, literate, science fiction film.

It is low budget, and borderline "sci-fi". BUT, it's also got an incredible story, excellent acting and intangible qualities that may make you want to cry in the end. With that said, it's not a chick-flick either (it's just that, I think I'm in love with Hope Davis after seeing this). And Leary totally saved the movie from obscurity for me. He is cast perfectly for this role. I won't tell any details, the less you know the better. Not for everyone, but if you like drama, sci-fi, and don't mind a bit of a slow start, you'll be glad you saw this movie. I can't wait to watch it again.

"Final" was intriguing enough to keep me interested the entire time. I wanted to give it like 3 and a half stars because it's not quite a 4 star movie, but better than a 3 star movie. There is a great twist in the film (which I love) but the very end was a bit predictable. However, it didn't ruin the movie for me. I'm not sure I would classify this as sci-fi. It's more of a mystery/semi-thriller. It reminded me of the old Twilight Zones a little or The Outer Limits tv show a lot. If you are looking for spaceships, robots, high tech machines ... this movie doesn't have any of that. But it does have some pretty good acting, an interesting plot and a winding story line that will keep you guessing til the very end. There are a lot of bad movies out there today... I wouldn't consider this one of them.

Actually this was well acted all around. But Dennis really proved himself here.
Better then his role in Lake Boat and I really liked that. I have both these films in my library now.
A word of caution to most of you. There is no action in this film. 80% of the film takes place in one room. But having said that, this is a really good film. That has a well written, interesting story, that is enhanced by the performances of the two leads.
The story revolves around Dennis's character who wakes up in very sterile hospital setting, not knowing why he is there, why he can't leave, where he is in time, and is his life really at risk.
Thanks Dennis another good film. For me I take your name in the cast as an indicator that I need to see the film.

I guess I wasn't expecting much from this given all the bad reviews on N*****x, but a friend recommended it and said that the less you know about the movie the better. It was sound advice. So I won't tell much about the content (you can find that anywhere if you choose) but more about what I liked about this movie, when so many others didn't. First off it's very "paced" (read; sloooooow) so it's not for the short attention span theater crowd. And while that pacing is a little hit & miss, it's more hit than miss. The film uses this pacing to reveal the situation and its themes gradually as it flashes between past & present. You might be bored, but you'll definitely stay uncertain about the "reality" until late in the film. Leary & Davis do a great job of conveying some challenging ideas without giving too much away too early. And finally, the ending. This seems to be very like it/hate it with people. I liked it. They could have easily "gone Hollywood" at the end, but didn't - MUCH to the benefit of the movie (IMHO). If you need a point of reference, I'd say this: If you were one of those people who saw "Solaris" because of George Clooney, and hated it - do NOT watch this. If you're like me & saw "Solaris" in spite of George Clooney, and liked it - give this one a try.

I bought this movie because of its four star reviews - but found myself tempted to fast forward halfway through and end the slow slow storyline and low budget misery. If you see it on TV watch it - but don't waste your money on a dvd.

Cheap production,weird story, good atmosphere and two competent actorsin a film wich should last no more than 70 minutes. A man who wakes up in a strange place not knowingwho and where he is surely is a cliche, but here the cliche becomes intriguing.The movie has three distinct parts. the first one,when the viewer, probably a sci-fi fan like me, thinks he has just made a mistake watching it, because really it does not look a scifi movie. The second part, where the viewer gets caught in a mysterious situation(is the guy really in the future?Is this really a worls devastated by a plague?Are the guys in the hospitalsome kind of survivors?)and knows this IS a good scifi plot. The third partwith the surreal ending confuses the viewer...is it or is not a scifi movie? Watch it and decide...It should have been made in black and white, in less than 70 minutes.It would be a very good episode of the original The outer limits...

I didn't really know what to expect from this movie, as I hadn't read much of the reviews. The beginning is kind of slow and boring, but one feels intrigued to see what is going to happen. It is an interesting movie, although a bit sad. The 4 stars are because , as I said, the beginning could be a little more enticing. All in all, would recommend it.

After discovering Denis Leary's awesome acting in Rescue Me, i decided i should try and find a few more.

I was pleasantly surprised with Final. Where other films have been completely panned, this one, thought the same might be critically said, i thought this film was quite interesting.

Though it can be confusing in places, there are some great moments in the movie. Denis Leary is quite good in this movie, i would say that it is one of my favorites. A highly underrated actor, Leary pulls off the frustration that would come with people told that the world as he knows it, no longer exists.

A slow moving film, but quite engaging.