Iffy for 12+
Sweet Miley Cyrus drama depicts first love, family troubles.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this sweet-but-sad and fairly predictablecoming-of-age story will likely appeal to hordes of Miley Cyrus’ young fans, but it's best for older tweens and teens thanks to the heavy topics of divorce, abusive relationships, and death. The romance (including somepassionate kissing) will send fans hearts a-flutter, and a tear-jerkingstoryline will leave them surprisingly moved. There’s little swearing("bitch") and some sexual banter, but most everything’s prettyclean-cut.
- Families can talk about Ronnie’s reaction to her parents’ divorce. Whydoes she hate her father so much? Why is she unable to forgive him? Isher reaction typical and/or understandable? Does her experience remindyou of your experiences or your friends' experiences?
- Tweens and teens: Do you see Miley Cyrus as a role model? Why or why not? Do you think celebrities make good role models? Do you have any real-life role models -- like family members, friends, or teachers? Do you real-liferole models have more or less influence over your thoughts and decisions compared to celebs?
- Is the film’s depiction of first (true) love realistic? How does itchange Ronnie?
The good stuff
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Messages: Love transforms even the most hardened souls, though it’s not alwaysenough to sustain marriages. But forgiveness helps bridge the gap. Also: Happy families might only appear that way, so it’s best not to judgefrom appearances. And music can bring you joy.
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Role models: While initially not a great role model, Ronnie ultimately comes around.When she arrives in town she’s been arrested for shoplifting and thoughshe’s been accepted at a prestigious music conservatory, she plans onnot going. She’s also disrespectful of her parents, especially herfather. However, she’s the one who changes the most in the movie,softening and finding the will to forgive. Other characters include ayoung girl who appears willing to stay in a relationship that clearlydevalues her; her boyfriend who manhandles her; and two young men who’ve helped destroy a neighbor’s reputation. All but one learn their lessonin the end.
What to watch for
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Violence: A boy takes a crowbar and tries to hit another with it during a fight.He also menaces his girlfriend and manhandles her. A local is suspectedof arson.
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Sex: More talk than action. One character discusses another’s conquests. Some passionate kissing, and a guy makes a pass at another even though hehas a girlfriend.
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Language: Some uses of ”bitch,” but much of the dialogue is only slightly salty:“pissed,” “brat,” “suck.” Also, a couple uses of "God" as an exclamation.
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Consumerism: Some signage for Mobil gas stations, restaurants.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: No drug use, though one scene shows teenagers drinking.
Fan Reviews provided by
3
Pros and Cons seem to be the best.... by lovestalentmoviefan
....way to sum up my review for this. PROS.1)Great moment for the first kiss.Unique and impressive. 2)Ending for the couple was better than Dear John's. 3)Convincing acting on the part of Kinnear and little brother. CONS.1)She may be an awesome songwriter and decent singer,but acting:NO. Okay in Hannah-the movie..but that is different than taking on a role as a serious adult.I realize there was collaberation between Cyrus and Sparks,but it still didn't work. She has presence,but needs acting lessons.2.)Tired of same format. There has to be someone else out there who knows what i am talkin' about! 3.)Lead male couldn't act,and with his shirt on, didn't wow me at all. Although Dear John had it's own couple of problems,the lead actors were magnificent. Compared to Tanning and Seifried,these two were like a school play. Young girls will like it..I say save your money.
3
Not being a 'tween' girl i hope this is objective by LTMF 2
I liked the acting in Cyrus's HannahMontana movie. Thought the cheesiness in that role just went with Hannah series (never saw tv show). Here,though, I have to say she has a long way to go acting wise. She has a very arresting presence and probably can learn the art,because she is obviously a hard worker. Very beautiful voice though. She uses her own abilities,rather than electronics,etc. The movie just didn't pull much at all in tear jerker department,maybe because I've seen and read so much sparks material. It is a nice movie though. LOVED Greg K. and the Coleman boy. Her love interest was average. Usually the Sparks heroines are tasteful in their wardrobe,so I was surprised at all the cleavage and the whole midriff for such a long time,but it wasn't indecent,just not modest.
5
The Last Song by cswil08
I saw this movie after reading the book, and while the book is my favorite one that I've read in years, the movie still impressed me. It did a really good job of taking the important elements from the book and translating that into a touching movie. It was a perfect role for Miley (which makes sense as it was written for her), and the casting was PERFECT- just as I imagined the characters looking like while I was reading the book! It is a touching movie and definitely worth seeing!
5
The Last Song by 94E6-B89GFE-5A46
I was blown away! As I was waiting for the film to begin i noticed that ALL of those entering the theater were teenagers (all girls) and young mothers with very small children! I thought I really made a mistake picking this film and almost left before it started! WOW...thank the lord I didn't! It is an absolutely superb movie with four fabulous performances by the top cast. I experienced almost every emotion [possible...often with tears running down my cheeks. I came home and told my wife about it and indicated I wanted to take her this time so I could see it again! I might add that it is a great movie to be seen by the younger set...both boys and girls. But older males and females will also enjoy and those who have or have had children will be particularly taken!
3
this movie was a lot like my experience with Twilight... by meeshepeede
The movie leaves out a lot of important scenes from the book that I think would have helped develop the characters in the movie and the relationships among them. I feel like the relationship between Ronnie and her dad is so moving and profound in the book but in the movie it just lacks something. The movie was somewhat entertaining but probably not in the way they intended it to be. I laughed at the "romantic" scenes between Ronnie and Will, and Miley's attempt at being the misunderstood teenager with her constant pouting was just funny. That said the movie did have its moments. Liam Hemsworth brought a lot to the movie - not just his amazing body. He acted the part of Will as best he could have with the script, especially when he tries to woo Ronnie in the first part of the movie. The best parts of the movie are the dad and the brother. Greg Kinnear and Bobby Coleman act their parts perfectly; the two have some funny and truly endearing moments and are simply likeable.
4
Last song by mecheflores
My daughters loved the movie. They cried....
3
Very humdrum movie by birac
It could have been so much more if the dad and Ronnie had more scenes together,and if Ronnie had been another actress. Great first kiss! Liked the little brother. I think this was just too rushed in the making. Just did not feel as close to anybody as I wanted to. GF didn't even cry this time! Matinee price,better,wait for netflix or dvd
3
Kinnear and Coleman worth spending money to see by keatsgirl
I just think Sparks movies are too formulaic. Two leads were not very good actors. But I understand that ooh...Miley Cyrus lovers will all say this is awesome. You can definitely wait for dvd,but if you want to pay...it is a nice enough story,and like i said, the dad and brother are awesome.
5
The Last Song by kcack5
This movie was the Best. It is now on my favorite movie list!! We laughed and cried then laughed some more. It was wonderful. We are BIG fans of Miley Cyrus, so that was the reason we wanted to see it and we are glad we did. It was Great!! :)
4
Go see it, but PLEASE read the book! by rjthornton17
This was another case of a book being SO much better than the movie. The strange thing about this movie is that Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the screenplay first knowing that Miley Cyrus would be playing Ronnie. Even with that in mind, the book was so much more moving. The movie TOTALLY cut out the relationship her Dad had with God and how Ronnie also started reading the Bible as their relationship grew. There were also some aspects of the Mom and Dad's relationship that were revealed in the book that made things a little more clear to us. Either way, it's a sweet movie. If you like a good romance with some tear-jerking moments, you will enjoy "The Last Song".