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Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready.... |
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At
Last
Stars: Martin Donovan, Kelly Lynch, Brooke Adams, Jessica Hecht, Anne Ewen, M. C. Gainey, Lara Grice, Will Schierhorn, Troi Bechet, and Clay Chamberlin Director: Tom Anton Scriptwriters: Tom Anton and Sandi Russell Running Time: 110 Minutes Production Company: Anythingforlove Rating: not rated but could be PG 13 *Reviewed at Kansas International Film Festival At Last was to have been premiered in New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina took care of that. The theater was flooded. Therefore, Overland Park, Kansas a western suburb of the Kansas City metro area, has the distinction of premiering this film. At Last is a warm love story about two people who dated in high school, grew apart through missed communications and met twenty years later. Sara (Kelly Lynch) is in a failing marriage and has a rebellious teenage daughter. Mark (Martin Donovan) is unhappily married to Laura (Jessica Hecht) and in the family sales business. His mother (Brooke Adam) gives the word "Mom" new meaning. Mark is going through old boxes and discovers love letters he wrote to Sara and she to him, that neither received. Mark’s Mom deliberately waylaid the mail at a time when Mark’s parents had moved the family to another city. Impulsively, Mark sends the letters to Sara who begins to wax nostalgic and the two meet. Sparks fly with the help of his brother, Earl (a colorful M. C. Gainey). There are obstacles to overcome such as teen angst, a death in the family and most of all, Mom’s meddling. All this against the backdrop of colorful pre-Katrina New Orleans as you remember the city. At Last is all about having a second chance in life. Director Tom Anton and his wife, Sandi Russell wrote about their lives and their second chance. In the script, Sara has a friend who knows just what to do at the right time, like buying Sara an expensive dress for that first date and Mark has a brother, who, though considered the black sheep of the family, has a heart of gold. Sometimes the co-incidences border on unbelievable, but if you want escapism in romance, here it is. Martin Donovan and Kelly Lynch are rather bland in their roles of Mark and Sara. It’s when Brooke Adam or M.C. Gainey come on screen that the place catches fire. Brooke Adam’s portrayal of Carol, Mark and Earl’s mother could put her in league with the late actress Margaret Hamilton's portrayal of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. Mark and Sara were two people clearly meant for each other, but someone interfered. Oh, that the rest of the cast had such verve. Wonderful moments, unfortunately, slip by such as when Mark and his wife have a heart-to-heart discussion about their marriage. This is an important time that goes by quietly. In At Last, even the teenagers agree to agree at times. Director Anton would have done better to push his talented cast to inspired performances instead of allowing a laid-back version of this script. Copyright 2005 Marie Asner
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