Cultural Arts and Entertainment

'The Last Word' sure to impress

In light of the doing the preview article on hometown native Geoff Haley's screening of his first major motion picture, "The Last Word," I had the opportunity to view an early release of the film.

I was a bit leary going into watching the movie, because normally when I think independent films that only have showings at the Sundance Festival I think of dark, artsy fartsy films. I told Haley this during our interview, but also mentioned that "The Last Word" changed my opinion of this genre completely.

The movie is an amazingly well-written and well-made film that really tugs at the heart and forces viewers to confront topics like depression and suicide. Although these topics are prevalent in the film, it's not necessarily a dark film. In Haley's words, it focuses on these topics without "depressing the hell out of you." The movie can be a bit dark and cynical at points, but certainly isn't an overwhelming theme. Think "American Beauty" or HBO's "Six Feet Under" -- both of which Haley worked on.

The topic is one of the most original storylines that I've ever heard of for a film: A struggling writer who makes his living writing the suicide notes of his clients. Clients that are set on leaving something so incredibly memorable behind that they decide to hire a professional because they couldn't possibly do their own suicide note justice.

And the acting was amazing. I didn't think actor Ray Romano could pull off the role that he did. Romano plays "Able," a client of the main character who plans to committ suicide and leave the world behind a letter that shows just how much he will be missed. Who ever though that the star of "Everybody Loves Raymond" could play such a dark and disturbed role -- and still be funny in certain dry aspects? Romano proves himself in this movie as an incredible actor who shouldn't be typecast as a comedian who can only get cheap laughs from sitcom audiences. You believe that Able is capable of committing suicide, and fear whether he'll actually go through with it or not.

This is definitely one of the most original movies that I've seen in a long time, and worth spending the 90 minutes watching. I've learned one thing: not to let a couple of bad independent films create a stereotype in my head for the rest.

"The Last Word" will have a screening at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St. The screening is free and open to the public. The movie is rated "R" for language.