Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
UNREQUITED LOVE........or A STUDY IN SELF-DESTRUCTION:, June 23, 2006
I really like the description of main character, Simon, given us by earlier reviewer, Trang T. Nguyen "Purple Angel," who says---"Simon is a sensitive, private, lonely, broken, and tormented soul." But I do think when Angel goes on to say: "There is no "obvious" sexual between him and Mathieu," that he is missing one of the major points of this film. It seems clear to me that it is this very love for Mathieu which is creating havoc with Simon's emotions. I believe they have had an earlier "relationship," and it was likely a sexual one (note that during Simon's first visit to the lighthouse and conversation with Mathieu, they make reference to it). However, it soon becomes apparent to us and to Simon that M. is moving on as concerns his relationship preferences (yes, he likely enjoys the wild kiss he initiates with S.---at Louise's urging---but not enough to change his current course). Louise is now his focus, something that becomes 'majorly' upsetting to S.
If you require further proof of Simon's true feelings, you need only view the late-in-the-film scene in which S. enters Mathieu's quarters (when M. is away), makes his way to the bed, lies in it, eyes closed, holding the bedclothes, then the pillow, to his nose and deeply breathing in Mathieu's scent. While doing this, he is moved to initiate his own self-gratification. A tremendously sexy scene---I kept hoping Mathieu would appear in the doorway, but obviously other things were afoot. (Am not sure what Purple Angel might have thought this scene was all about).
Mother, Marie's, startling disclosure near film's conclusion, concerning one of the major relationships in Simon's life, results in an ending you are unlikely to soon forget.
PS: Much of this script is a little slow moving and, sometimes, repetitive. All 3 of my awarded Stars are given, especially for Ulliel's acting as Simon, but also for Garcia's as mother. I won't be throwing this out of my DVD collection, but likely will not be viewing it often.
****
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plots and Secrets, January 30, 2006
"The Last Day" ("Le dernier jour") shows us a visit by a depressed, eighteen-year old photographer, Simon (played by Gaspard Ulliel) to his family home on the Ile de Re, off the west coast of France. Taking a train from Paris to La Rochelle, he is approached by a stranger, seventeen-year old Louise (Melanie Laurent), who clings closely enough to win an invitation to join his visit. Simon's parents and his parents' friends immediately think of Simon and Louise as a couple, possibly even engaged. Simon, on the other hand, has an old bond with lighthouse keeper Mathieu (Thibault Vincon). Simon is downcast when Louise resists his pro forma attempts at sex, preferring a romance with Mathieu. Meanwhile, Simon's mother, Marie (Nicole Garcia), has her own issues when an old flame, Marc (Bruno Todeschini), tries to renew their acquaintance. There are some twists on the way to an ambiguously down ending.
The acting and photography are fine. There are good skin shots of Simon and of Louise. It is helpful to see the film more than once to notice the small points that lead to the conclusions. The only extras are some trailers.
"The Last Day" shows how far some people are willing to go to satisfy their curiosity, how far others go to disguise their sexual orientation, and how far others go to have the type of family they want. Put it all together, and you have a strange but intriguing movie.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you like Gaspard Ulliel...., February 4, 2007
... this is your movie because he developes a very enigmatic and attractive performance in a simple but captivating movie. The best of the movie by far, from my perspective, is that Gaspard Ulliel looks like one of the most beautiful guys on the world (the camera falls in love with him, I assure you). And you don't even need to see the movie itself because just the images of him on the main menu of the dvd can be a total delight for your eyes. Pure beauty, beautiful (but sad) story and... even sadder ending. I guess the ending is necessary to get the ultimate flavour of the script but.... it's better not to watch it if you are in one of those very, very happy days!! Ideal movie for a quite night with a grey day or rain outside. And of course, essential movie for Gaspard Ulliel fans like me. You won't be disappointed.
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