Der Letzte Kuss (The Last Kiss)
U.S.A. 2006

Opening 16 Nov 2006

Directed by: Tony Goldwyn
Writing credits: Paul Haggis, Gabriele Muccino
Principal actors: Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Casey Affleck, Rachel Bilson, Michael Weston

The Last Kiss from director Tony Goldwyn and Paul Haggis, (wrote screenplay for Oscar best pictures L.A. Crash and Million Dollar Baby) is an adaptation from the Italian film, L’Ultimo bacio, which portrays life experience where reality bites. Michael (Zach Braff) and Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) appear to be the ideal young professional couple and the envy of their friends. They represent an image of stability and happiness until the shock of Jenna’s pregnancy puts Michael into a personal identity crisis. He freaks out and turns into a run-away-bridegroom! To avoid his anxiety relating to the commitment of marriage, parenting, and sacrificing oneself for the good of the other, Michael chooses to join his very immature friends on the wild side of life, seeking to satisfy fantasies which Jenna never knew existed. One passionate kiss turns Michael’s innocence into a nightmare. Consumed with guilt, Michael turns to Jenna’s father, Stephen (Tom Wilkinson), a man who is weathered by storms of his own. Stephen lovingly helps Michael deal with the consequences caused by selfish choices – the treatment that brings Michael one step closer to maturity. This is not a happy end narrative but it seeks to portray the reality and the tragedy of many modern day romances. (Karen Pecota)