Written & Directed By: Adam Rifkin
Cinematography By: Scott Winig
Editor: Daniel Flesher
Cast: Burt Reynolds, Ariel Winter, Clark Duke, Ellar Coltrane, Chevy Chase, Nikki Blonsky, Cylk Cozart
An aging 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.
This is shockingly formulaic and more sentimental than expected. Which just might be the beauty of the film. Taking us back to a more simpler time when films could sometimes just be simple and tell their themes and messages simply and not necessarily need to try and trick the audience or put on too much of a show, instead keep them entertained and smiling or happy as they leave.
Burt Reynolds gives a strong personal performance. As the film seems to be a kind of testament to him and his career and seems to make him face himself and some of his life decisions as his thinly veiled character look old back on his life and career.
The film even begins with him putting his dog to sleep to remind him that death might be just around the corner for those who are aging. Which doesn’t help as the film continuously spells out things for the audience that they could interpret on their own if they weren’t getting beat over the head with obvious Meaning and comparisons.
The film actually has him talk to himself through splicing present day him having conversations with his old on screen characters. This is one of the most emotional roles o can remember Burt Reynolds playing and it does remind the audience of how much of an on screen icon he is. We watch as he visits and recounts stories and lessons that were pivotal to his life.
Unfortunately the rest of the movie and actors aren’t as strong as his performance. The film is manipulative where you will find yourself tearing up or emotional for seemingly little reason. As it presents such a dark story of aging. That it would have been nice to see the old charisma or have a few things still going for his character. I stead of being such a miserable sad sack. We realize that his character must make a change towards the positive but you don’t have to make it so far and though he experiences a change we only see it through his monologue.
Chevy Chase makes an extended cameo though we don’t know who he is supposed to be or what other then friend he is in relation to Reynolds character. Though at least he gives off a fun performance.
I wish the same could be said about Ariel Winter who gets most of the screen time other then Reynolds and with Reynolds. She comes across as out of her depth. Her performance seems more attitude then character. It also feels like a child actress trying to be provocative to be seen and cast in a more adult way. As her character wears very short shorts and exposes her midriff half the time with plenty of cleavage that just seems unnecessary but provides the film with some sex appeal. Even her subplot if choosing the wrong guy seems so simple and transparent that it almost feels like a parody.
Though it also showcases another one of the film’s shortcomings. Now of course the film is pretty much built and set up around him, but that leaves the rest of the cast with little to do but more react to him and his actions. As they offer nothing but a means to an end. They don’t even really have a subplot.
Writer - director Adam Rifkin wrote this as a tribute to Burt Reynolds and said if he turned it down he would have never made the film. You can tell the passions that went into it. Even with the more simplified material around it.
Ultimately the film ends up being slightly disappointing. Though Worth a look for fans if Mr. Burt Reynolds. He is ultimately what impresses and makes this watchable. He literally raises the quality of the material.
This isn’t necessarily a film you watch for craft or production style. This is one you watch more with your emotions and your heart. This is kind of the testament he deserves. As it does humanize him and remind you of his glory. I only wish the film could have matched his talent and character. Even as he faces down some of his demons here.
As this film truly does show a love for him as an actor and a person. It’s a labor of love that ultimately is successful. That unfortunately truly did become his last role and proves he deserves the title of this film even more. As they don’t make them like him Anymore and is a symbol and a man that represented a different era. One that will surely be missed. It’s fitting an icon of his stature swan song be something that was more personal and nurturing than any of his previous films that made him who he was.
This film is a valentine to not only him but also to his fans even the ones who never knew they missed him.
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