The Last Movie Star – Charming and Touching – Review

Many, many years ago I went to see Burt Reynolds in Hooper and I loved the movie that played on him playing an ageing stuntman, now 40 years later (damn I feel old now), he is back playing The Last Movie Star, which sees him as a washed-up movie star that is asked to an awards ceremony in a small town that is being ran by his enduring fans.

Burt Reynolds (Smokey and the Bandit, Boogie Nights) plays the movie legend, Vic Edwards, his long career has made Vic a hard drinking, long in the tooth star whose glory days are far behind him. But now that his movie career is coming to its end, he is approached by the Nashville film festival to receive a Lifetime Achievement award, Vic’s first thought is to decline the offer.

But after taking some advice from his old buddy Sonny (Chevy Chase – National Lampoon’s Vacation, Caddy Shack), he decides to make his journey to the awards ceremony to accept his award in person. Upon arrival Vic soon discovers that not is all as it seems, the venue is a small, dive, bar, he’s given accommodation that a movie start shouldn’t be seen in and the organisers of the event are big fans of Vic’s films and his driver is a rebellious teen (played by Ariel Winter) with a big attitude towards Vic and life in general!

Vic Edwards (Burt Reynolds) and Lil (Ariel Winter) on Dock - The Last Movie Star

What starts out as something that looks like everything has gone wrong and has been a complete waste of time for Vic, turns around and he begins an unexpected journey of discovery of not only himself, but those around him that have organised to have him at the event.

The Last Movie Star is shot in a very indie style way, but it adds to the charm of the movie, there is a lovely shot of the camera pulling back from Vic’s face which opens up to him sitting in the vets with his beloved dog, at first you aren’t really sure about Reynold’s character and how he treats others, but as the film progresses you learn so much more about his life and what he has been through. The movie is nicely shot and edited, the soundtrack works very well for the topic of The Last Movie Star.

154_Claudia (Kathleen Nolan) and Vic Edwards (Burt Reynolds) Embrace on Dock - The Last Movie Star

There are some charming moments throughout the film, such as Vic finding his first wife, beautifully played by Kathleen Nolan (The Real McCoys, Magnum P.I.), who now sadly suffers from Alzheimer’s and doesn’t really know who Vic is, also there is a brilliant moment with some nice effects as Vic is sitting next to his younger self in one the chase scenes from Smokey and the Bandit, having a conversation, very touching to see the old and young Reynolds together.

Burt Reynolds - The Last Movie Star (Smokey and the Bandit)

The connection between Vic and Lil (Ariel Winter), his driver, grows throughout the film and it’s so charming to see them changing their opinions of each other, which in turn develops into a friendship will last for a long time.

Director Adam Rifkin (Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy) has brought a lovely, charming movie that gives thought to our own mortality and how life can keep going even when we may be slowly drawing in those twilight years. The Last Movie Star also stars Clark Duke (Hot Tub Time Machine) and Ellar Coltrane (Boyhood), as the festival organisers.

The Last Movie Star arrives exclusively on-demand and download on 20 August 2018, go check it out for something a little different.

Charming and Thoughtful
The Last Movie Star Review

Movie title: The Last Movie Star

Movie description: An ageing former movie star is forced to face the reality that his glory days are behind him. On its surface, the film is a tale about faded fame. At its core, it's a universal story about growing old.

Date published: August 16, 2018

Country: UK

Duration: 1h 34m

Director(s): Adam Rifkin

Actor(s): Burt Reynolds, Ariel Winter, Clark Duke

Genre: Drama

4

Summary

The Last Movie Star is a charming and thoughtful look at the twilight years of a movie star.