Cast
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Sam Worthington
as Isaac LeMay
mgk
as Cal
Thomas Jane
as Soloman
Heather Graham
as Anna
Emily Marie Palmer
as Megan
Kim DeLonghi
as Grace
Danny Bohnen
as Soldier Ernie
Scotty Bohnen
as Cecil
Alex Meraz
as Patty
James Landry Hébert
as Grayton Willets
James Di Giacomo
as Pierce
Bates Wilder
as Coleman
Kendra Alaura
as Claire
Hiram A. Murray
as Logan
David Silverman
as Big Buck
Crew
Director
- Tim Sutton
Writer
- Greg Johnson
Producer
- Dean Bloxom
- Andre Relis
- Jib Polhemus
- Todd Lundbohm
Reviews
tmdb28039023
The Last Son is a western that puts on airs of Greek tragedy, complete with self-fulfilling prophecies, incest, filicide, and parricide. It’s also divided into chapters, emulating the episodes in a Greek drama. And in lieu of a choir, we get a voiceover narration. Screenwriter Greg Johnson and director Tim Sutton know the words but not the music.
Of all the possible Greek tragic elements, the one this movie lacks the most, and without which the rest are worthless, is pathos. The characters fail to inspire empathy because they are never anything more than archetypes.
Heather Graham is a Whore with a Heart of Gold and a Sh*t for Brains (but then everyone here is more or less obtuse). Thomas Jane is a white man raised by Indians, which makes little difference because he doesn’t seem to care a lot about either affiliation. And Machine Gun Kelly looks and acts like the MTV grunge version of Oedipus. Et sic de ceteris. Every tree here is the wrong one to bark up.
It’s a shame that cinematographer David Gallego and editor Kate Abernathy did such a good job of endowing the film with the look of a legitimate western, only to have its beautiful visuals put in the service of a pretentious and spurious script.
(said visuals include a very effective use of natural locations in Montana, as well as a shot of a dying man whose last breath the cold renders visible, and which may or may not be a reference to a similar scene in Chimes at Midnight).
Aug 28, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Last Son 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 Tim Sutton 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 2021, 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 Son took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 96 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 127 minutes long.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The costume department created over 235 unique costume pieces for the production.
Historical Context
- In 2021, when this film is released:
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Last Son shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Feud Maker, which focuses more on action than character development, The Last Son subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like A River Runs Through It and Back to the Future Part III explore similar territory, The Last Son stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 10, 2021
- Runtime: 1h 36m
Where to Watch
