Last Call (1999 Video) User Reviews

ending? (all spoilers)

[angloo · 3/10 · 5 July 2011]

Although barely able to follow the hackneyed plot because of some atrocious acting and poor writing, I don't understand the point in the ending. Sure, I can see one guy giving up his life to save his friend as well as reward the nun who was like a mother to them both. But it appears he did NOT do this. He left the money in the room where hew was hiding; he ditched the gun when he saw he was being followed WITH the money; he hopped into a car with an unknown driver just to get "out of Dodge"; and yet the godfather who he admitted has contacts all over the world has no reason NOT to track him down or spare his life even if he DOES get his money back (pleas from the daughter notwithstanding). So again, I ask:" what the hell was the point of this ending, which seems to be a dead end (pun intended)? What did I miss?

Refreshing take on the Robin Hood theme

[cameron-leroy · 10/10 · 29 July 2008]

I went into this film with very low expectations, and came out refreshingly surprised. While I will admit that the plot sometimes came off as a bit TOO contrived, the films other merits far overshadow that short-coming. I think what most impressed me was that it managed to skillfully combine a number of related themes (namely, the moral ambiguity of means vs. ends, the problems of urban decay, and how the former is exacerbated and largely ignored by a select few who benefit by the hegemony of wealth), while at the same time avoiding obvious clichés and homogenized characters.

I get the feeling that will complain that both films about inner-city problems and Robin Hood-type characters have been done before--many, many times--and that combining the two is neither much of a stretch nor particularly enticing. I wouldn't disagree, but "Last Call" definitely stands out among the crowd as much for its subtlety as for an ending that breaks far out of the mold.