Introduction
Cinema Scholars reviews the new film Last Looks, starring Charlie Hunnam, Morena Baccarin, Rupert Friend, and Mel Gibson. Directed by Tim Kirkby, the film is based on the 2018 crime-mystery novel of the same name, the first book in the “Charlie Waldo” series written by Howard Michael Gould. Gould also writes the film’s screenplay.
Synopsis
In Last Looks, Charlie Waldo (Charlie Hunnam) is a disgraced former LAPD police officer. Having left the force for a more simple life, Waldo lives in a trailer in the woods, raising chickens. He’s a devoted nature lover who has spurned materialism, in favor of living life off the grid. In the private-eye trope of “just one more case,” Waldo’s former lover, Lorena (Morena Baccarin), a private detective, tries to pull him out of retirement.
The case and client that Waldo takes on (against his will) is that of drunken TV actor Alistair Pinch (Mel Gibson). Pinch is a British Shakespearean trained actor and successful TV judge whose wife has turned up murdered. He’s also prone to frequent blackouts. Pinch is the prime suspect and remembers nothing. When Waldo gets sucked back into the world he is trying so hard to stay away from, his life gets turned upside down.
Throughout Last Looks, Waldo has to contend with ruthless gangsters, over-the-top Hollywood executives, and seductive kindergarten teachers, all in the name of getting to the truth, and perhaps redeeming his tarnished name and reputation. As the bicycle-riding Waldo gets pulled deeper and deeper into this mystery, all he really wants is to be left alone, where he can raise his chickens, and live in peace.
Commentary
Last Looks is a fun and quirky comedy-noir. The film looks good and watching it, one gets an early Coen Brothers vibe. Also, the physicality of the film works, especially the scenes between Hunnam and Gibson. The two actors dominate their scenes. However, as is the fatal flaw with lesser films of this genre, the murder mystery plot never really gets going and fails to suck the viewer in.
Last Looks doesn’t quite have the charm, wit, and technical expertise of the films that it is trying to emulate. Namely, The Nice Guys (2016), The Gentleman (2019 and also starring Hunnam), and Hail, Caesar! (2016). It also doesn’t help that the film is poorly edited and tends to jump around too much. Last Looks also doesn’t have a lot of action or suspense which is surprising for a film of this genre.
Gould’s screenplay would have been better served if it had more explored Waldo’s past with the LAPD and how he was disgraced. Not enough focus is spent on this. As a result, Hunnam’s performance never feels fully formed. With that said, seeing Mel Gibson portray a snobby, English TV star is enjoyable and makes up for the film’s failings.
While the plot of Last Looks is often confusing and muddled, veteran British television director Tim Kirkby (Fleabag, Veep) keeps the film from completely falling apart. His film truly shines when the focus is on comedy, specifically the back and forth banter between Hunnam and Gibson. The action and story in Last Looks may be somewhat lacking, but the comedic chemistry between its stars is there.
Performances
Charlie Hunnam spends a good portion of Last Looks getting beaten up and bullied. While it tends to get repetitive, Hunnam dominates the film in a good way. The actor is building on his successful and fantastic leading performance in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentleman. This time around, Hunnam is a bit more reserved in his performance, often coming across as insecure and timid.
Rupert Friend’s portrayal of a Hollywood executive is a standout performance and like Gibson and Hunnam, Friend is clearly is chewing up the scenery. It may be that Morena Baccarin was only available for 2-3 days of filming because she’s criminally underused in this film. However, she does light up the screen for the few scenes that she’s in.
Clancy Brown also appears briefly in the film as a police chief named “Big Jim,” bringing back memories of the sociopathic Captain Hadley from The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Lucy Fry playing the sultry schoolteacher has great chemistry with Hunnam. Dominic Monaghan, Method Man, and Paul Ben-Victor all have supporting roles in the film that are little more than cameos.
Mel Gibson
In Last Looks, Mel Gibson once again shows the viewing audience why he is an Academy Award winner and has been a Hollywood A-lister for decades. Gibson has plenty to atone for and is certainly a polarizing figure as a result of his public remarks and actions. Yet, there is no denying his on-screen charm and natural likability.
Gibson has settled into supporting roles at this stage in his career and he is clearly enjoying himself. Portraying Alistier Pinch, the actor appears to be having a blast. As he has done for so many years, Gibson demonstrates a combination of physicality and comedic timing that is a staple of his career. He’s the best part of Last Looks, even with the over-the-top British accent.
Conclusion
Last Looks is an average crime caper, replete with the usual cliches of films of the genre. It’s far from a perfect movie, and won’t be winning any awards. Yet, it’s still fun to watch. Especially when Hunnam and Gibson share the screen. While it doesn’t groove like Tarantino, or look visually stunning like Joel and Ethan Coen, Kirkby’s film has moments of flash and brilliance. It’s a fun two hours of your time.
Directed by Tim Kirkby (Brockmire, Action Point) and written by Howard Michael Gould (Mr. 3000), Last Looks will be released by RLJE Films in Theaters, On Demand, and Digital on February 4, 2022.
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