‘Last Kiss’ doesn’t take the breath away

By Nicole Donner

Zach Braff’s latest creation, “The Last Kiss,” is a guy’s answer to a chick flick. There’s drunken confession, relationship fights, revelations and life-changing decisions; all things that make a great chick flick but from a man’s perspective.

Braff plays Michael, a man who seemingly looks like he’s on top of the world with his wonderful girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) when he finds out they are expecting their first child. Michael is thrown into an early mid-life crisis until he meets the distraction, Kim (Rachel Bilson). Michael is coached by his buddies who all experience their own roadblocks in relationships from hopping from one bed to another to one recognizing an end of a marriage to another trying to start from scratch.

The movie is not as light-hearted and funny as people want to make it be. Yes, Braff’s comedic stylings in his TV show “Scrubs” may indicate that he has talent in the comedies but this movie is anything but. Viewers feel they’ve been thrust into the middle of these four relationships.

Adapted from the Italian movie “L’ultimo bacio,” the screenplay was written by Paul Haggis, who won an Academy Award for his 2004 movie “Crash.” Though not as bloody and gritty as “Crash,” this movie is a realistic view on everyday relationships between men and women. There’s no censorship, there’s no subliminal messaging, it’s simply a movie about love and how much it can bite.

Braff’s performance fits the nervous, almost neurotic character of Michael. During the movie, you can almost read what’s going through Michael’s head and understand his motives and actions. Movie fans ride the line of loving his character one moment and wanting to knock him upside the head the next moment. Braff’s performance is the type that can open several doors in Hollywood.

The sub-plots in the movie never lose their shine next to Braff. Casey Affleck, Michael Weston, and Eric Christian Olsen carry their roles as supporting actors while holding their individual story lines. Affleck’s role as Chris is one to watch as he deals with a common problem plaguing men and their persuit to be good fathers.

The women in “The Last Kiss” deserve recognition. Barrett’s emotional role as Braff’s girlfriend Jenna, whether angry or devastated, holds you in your seat and brings you into the story.

Another captivating role is Blythe Danner’s character as Jenna’s mom Anna. She isn’t your stereotypical “almost-grandmother” character in the story when she’s faced with infidelity and a problematic marriage. Danner’s performance shook me the most her soul-shaking yells and tearful breakdown. The only complaint is how small the storyline of Anna and her husband was in the grand scheme of the movie.

Although fans of Braff’s work were hoping for another version of his 2004 indie hit, “Garden State,” this film stands on its own two feet. It holds its own with a great cast, interesting plot and extraordinary acting.

“The Last Kiss” is rated R.