Cast
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Anne Hathaway
as Elena McMahon
Ben Affleck
as Treat Morrison
Rosie Perez
as Alma Guerrero
Willem Dafoe
as Richard McMahon
Edi Gathegi
as Jones
Mel Rodriguez
as Barry Sedlow
Onata Aprile
as Cat McMahon
Toby Jones
as Paul Schuster
Carlos Leal
as Max Epperson aka Bob Weir
Ben Chase
as Max Berquist
Julian Gamble
as Secretary George Shultz
Robert Sedgwick
as Stewart James
Bill Kelly
as General Gus Sharp
David Vadim
as Buck Pearson
César Galindez
as Red Truck Driver
Crew
Director
- Dee Rees
Producer
- Dee Rees
- Cassian Elwes
- Luillo Ruiz
Reviews
CinemaSerf
This has to be the worst example yet of the Netflix gazillions buying a cast that looks great on paper, but that delivers badly on screen. It isn't necessarily their fault - the writing is as incoherent as it is facile and the direction is all over the shop. There are simultaneous threads to the story (journalist Anne Hathaway "Elena" ends up in Central America getting drawn into a story of US government/agency duplicity and espionage that she was meant to be there to report on, basically) that simply don't tie up - we have no context into which we can immerse ourselves! Ben Affleck can't need the cash this badly and though Toby Jones did make me smile; I'm not sure he was meant to. It's a decent enough book, so what happened with this poor adaptation to screenplay is anyone's guess, but please can we have more emphasis on the quality of the story and dialogue to make the A-list cast worth their money next time?
Mar 27, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Last Thing He Wanted examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Dee Rees brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Last Thing He Wanted took approximately 19 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 116 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 168 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 7 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Last Thing He Wanted shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Battle: Freestyle, which focuses more on action than character development, The Last Thing He Wanted subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like In the Navel of the Sea and Candyman explore similar territory, The Last Thing He Wanted stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: February 14, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 56m
Where to Watch
