I wasn’t sure what to expect from Miley when I begrudgingly agreed to screen The Last Song. While I admit I find her new song “Party in the USA” quite catchy, I somehow couldn’t get my head around her being cast in a lead role in a serious drama.
The first part of the movie almost activated my gag reflex more than once. It felt like I was watching a predictable, one-dimensional, cheesy teen romance. But the plot, true to the typical Nicholas Sparks story, got interesting and very emotional—to say the least—halfway through the film, and the audience was shown a different side of Miley Cyrus.
The girl can act and is convincing in her portrayal of Ronnie Miller, a rebellious teenager who is sent to Georgia with her younger brother to spend the summer with their father (who had walked out on them three years ago). Greg Kinnear was perfectly cast as Steve Miller, the loving and patient father who has something to hide.
Bobby Coleman, who plays Ronnie’s little brother, Jonah Miller, stole the scene more than once with his adorable onscreen charisma. And let’s not forget Abercrombie model look-alike Liam Hemsworth, who plays Ronnie’s love interest Will Blakelee (both on-screen and off).
Without spoiling the twist in the movie, I think it’s safe to say that Nicholas Sparks, who also co-wrote the screenplay, is something of a genius when it comes to creating multi-dimensional, emotional, heart wrenching stories that cling to us even after we’ve stepped out of the theater. He understands the importance of complex, relatable characters and the magnetic appeal of stories centered around redemption, love, and sacrifice.
I’m glad that our little Hannah Montana has grown up into a talented, soulful actress who has proven in The Last Song that she can carry a serious film as well as inspire our younger generation (and some of us a generation older!) with her painfully infectious teenybopper tunes. It’s a party in the USA!!
Overall star rating: 3.5/5 stars
[etRating value=“ 3.5”]
The first part of the movie almost activated my gag reflex more than once. It felt like I was watching a predictable, one-dimensional, cheesy teen romance. But the plot, true to the typical Nicholas Sparks story, got interesting and very emotional—to say the least—halfway through the film, and the audience was shown a different side of Miley Cyrus.
The girl can act and is convincing in her portrayal of Ronnie Miller, a rebellious teenager who is sent to Georgia with her younger brother to spend the summer with their father (who had walked out on them three years ago). Greg Kinnear was perfectly cast as Steve Miller, the loving and patient father who has something to hide.
Bobby Coleman, who plays Ronnie’s little brother, Jonah Miller, stole the scene more than once with his adorable onscreen charisma. And let’s not forget Abercrombie model look-alike Liam Hemsworth, who plays Ronnie’s love interest Will Blakelee (both on-screen and off).
Without spoiling the twist in the movie, I think it’s safe to say that Nicholas Sparks, who also co-wrote the screenplay, is something of a genius when it comes to creating multi-dimensional, emotional, heart wrenching stories that cling to us even after we’ve stepped out of the theater. He understands the importance of complex, relatable characters and the magnetic appeal of stories centered around redemption, love, and sacrifice.
I’m glad that our little Hannah Montana has grown up into a talented, soulful actress who has proven in The Last Song that she can carry a serious film as well as inspire our younger generation (and some of us a generation older!) with her painfully infectious teenybopper tunes. It’s a party in the USA!!
Overall star rating: 3.5/5 stars
[etRating value=“ 3.5”]
