[yasr_overall_rating]
A WW2 veteran destined for life in a retirement home escapes his difficult family situation and embarks on a cross-country adventure to find the last remaining members of his B-17 bomber crew with the help of a beautiful accomplice.
“Last Man Club” is a 2016 drama from director and writer Bo Brinkman that pushes for heartwarming moments that will bring nostalgia to the forefront of your mind. In the film, Eagle (James MacKrell) is on a quest to reunite with his old WWII comrade and B-17 crew before the last of them pass away. Along the way, Eagle meets a pretty young woman, Romy (Kate French) with her own secrets and past she is escaping from and joins him on the adventure. There are a host of other nurses, sons, and grandsons that sprinkle throughout the movie that make you both love and hate the way old people are treated.
The film’s writing was straightforward and the plot standard, but at times it felt a bit stilted in its actions. The story was built up into this emotional climatic moment, and the characters felt frozen in their dialogue, unable to connect. MacKrell and French had great chemistry together in their starring roles, but interactions between other characters often felt awkward or forced.
What becomes confusing is the styling of the movie. The filming had a haze to it that made it seem as though we were looking at a ’90s movie, which honestly added to the nostalgia factor, but would then add in modern appliances and cars. Additionally, the costumes seemed to be a mix of ’90s wear with modern elements that left me confused about when this movie was taking place. The biggest crime was the pretty woman, hooker-esque dress with an unbrushed wig that took the initial meeting of Eagle and Romy and created a costumed distraction for the first fifteen minutes.
Beyond the confusing styling, this movie has elements that work and great chemistry between the two starring roles. If you want a simplistic story that will make you look at how you treat old people, then this movie is for you.
Available on VOD, DVD & all digital platforms, from Freestyle Digital Media, Tuesday, May 23rd
