The Last Time
Who would you sell out to trade up?
Ted (Michael Keaton), a star sales executive for the Bindview company, shows novice salesman Jamie (Brendan Fraser) the ropes. However, it quickly becomes clear that Ted’s cynical, jaded personality proves to be an enormous obstacle for anyone who tries to befriend him. Yet despite his cynicism, Ted falls in love with Jamie’s fiancé Belisa (Amber Valletta), and slowly begins to lose the bitterness which made him such a terrific salesman. Jamie, meanwhile, fails at the sales game and becomes increasingly disillusioned. Even as Bindview loses profitability, Ted ignores his job and focuses almost solely on Belisa. It is only when the company falls victim to a hostile takeover, that the ingenious grift is revealed.
Member Reviews
If I had to say three good things about this Cynical movie, I couldn’t. - moviemonger
The movie is an interesting drama with absolutely top-notch acting; especially from Michael Keaton’s Fraser and Valleta are also very good. I loved the script too. It is smart, easy to follow yet grabbing and it successfully builds the tension. The movie just shows that appearances can be deceptive. I would probably say that it was not so entirely terrible to watch – in the moment – for most of the duration. But I can’t, I can only remember the ending now and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to trust a movie again because of it.Interesting story idea, but came off a little thin and overacted. - 1writer
The Last Time is based on an interesting and relatively unique story premise...but just doesn't work out quite as well as one might hope. Michael Keaton (Ted) is good in his role of the dark, cynical, foul-mouthed top salesman at the Bineview Company. I found Brandon Fraser (Jamie) to be a little less believable than would be necessary to truly buy in to the character and movie. Amber Valleta (Belisa) does pretty well as the Midwest transplant to the Big Apple. Interesting twist at the end, but a bit overacted.The Last Time is Ridiculous - footnote
This movie starts off as a poor knock-off of Glengarry Glen Ross and just gets worse from there. I realize there is the standard expectation of “suspension of disbelief”, but this is too much. The first “love scene” was so absurd that both my wife looked at each other and laughed. The big twist (I won’t spoil it, but the description above does, so don’t read it if you insist on seeing it) tries way too hard and is just ridiculous. Even more perplexing is the occasional shutter click alluding to a hidden photographer that comes to nothing, what were the photos for? And the reference to The Picture of Dorian Gray? Nice attempt at self-importance, but no, it really doesn’t work.
Michael Keaton’s acting was actually pretty good. It is not his fault the script has his character flip-flop back and forth from foul mouthed, maniacal, self-serving prick to sensitive, literature quoting English prof at the flick of a switch. The fact that he accomplished this with a straight face reflects well on him. Please, someone give him a good role, the guy can act. Give him a chance. It seems like a lot of Keaton’s character’s back-story is missing. There are brief references to it, but it seems a lot was cut out to bring this in at 90min. Another mystery is that, while Amber Valleta does have a brief nude scene in The Last Time, she and Keaton are shown several times in bed in classic soap opera style two sided bed-sheet; waist high on the male side and shoulder high on the female? I guess they wanted a standard cable ready version, in case it didn't make a big splash at the theatres. Don’t worry though; better direction and editing would not save this script.
Oh yeah, Brendan Fraser is in this too. A lot of flip-flops for him as well, and he’s Brendan Fraser. Enough said.
Member Reviews
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If I had to say three good things about this Cynical movie, I couldn’t. - moviemonger
The movie is an interesting drama with absolutely top-notch acting; especially from Michael Keaton’s Fraser and Valleta are also very good. I loved the script too. It is smart, easy to follow yet grabbing and it successfully builds the tension. The movie just ...Interesting story idea, but came off a little thin and overacted. - 1writer
The Last Time is based on an interesting and relatively unique story premise...but just doesn't work out quite as well as one might hope. Michael Keaton (Ted) is good in his role of the dark, cynical, foul-mouthed top salesman at the Bineview Company. I ...The Last Time is Ridiculous - footnote
This movie starts off as a poor knock-off of Glengarry Glen Ross and just gets worse from there. I realize there is the standard expectation of “suspension of disbelief”, but this is too much. The first “love scene” was so absurd that both my wife looked at ...