LAST VEGAS review by Mark Walters – four Hollywood legends gamble together & win big laughs

LAST VEGAS review by Mark Walters – four Hollywood legends gamble together & win big laughs

lastvegas-poster2a

In the interest of full disclosure, I originally did not want to see LAST VEGAS at all. To me the movie looks like one of those disposable comedies that Hollywood cranks out every other year, putting a few recognizable faces together in some road adventure… you know, like WILD HOGS or OLD DOGS, that sort of thing. Then I started thinking about the players involved in this one – Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline. I like all those guys, so why not give it a chance?

LAST VEGAS opens in the past, showing us the four friends 58 years ago, getting into trouble like kids do and basically sticking together no matter what. Cut to the present, and one by one we see the boys all grown up, now each pushing 70 years of age. Billy (Michael Douglas) appears to be living the good life of a successful businessman, and is in love with a much younger woman, who he oddly proposes to while giving a friend’s eulogy. Paddy (Robert De Niro) is living alone in New York, where the group grew up, and has become a shut in after his wife (and childhood sweetheart) has passed away. Archie (Morgan Freeman) lives with his son Ezra (Michael Ealy), and feels like more of a worrisome burden than a loved father and grandfather to Ezra’s daughter. Sam (Kevin Kline) passes his time doing water aerobics with his wife, who feels he’s lost the spark she fell in love with. Billy calls the gang to announce his wedding, and Archie and Sam suggest a bachelor party in Las Vegas. One hurdle to get past is Paddy’s resentment toward Billy for past events, but eventually the four wind up together in Sin City, where they meet a sultry lounge singer named Diana (Mary Steenburgen), who like the boys is a little older and lacking real direction in life. While getting their bearings, the childhood gang must come to grips with where they are in life, where they left each other, and where they need to be… and there’s plenty of laughs along the way.

These types of movies are usually pretty predictable, so over-analyzing them can be an exercise in futility. Instead I’d like to focus on why LAST VEGAS works, and why I’d call the entire production a success rather than a failure. For starters, these guys have chemistry. Never mind the fact that we’re dealing with four accomplished and talented thespians, all of who have handled everything from comedy to intense drama before, but you really buy into the idea of these four being old friends who have known each other forever. The little squabbles, the inside jokes and the familiar body language really sells the concept of our group, and helps make the story seem a lot less forced than in could have been. Director Jon Turteltaub (the NATIONAL TREASURE movies) makes Vegas a backdrop and compliment, without letting the setting of the story overpower the characters. He also knows how and when to embrace the humor and creates a smart balance back and forth with each character. There’s always a danger that a movie with a cast like this can shift too far on to one specific actor, be here each guy gets their moment in the spotlight, and none should walk away feeling cheated.

Michael Douglas is definitely the star of the piece, and the reason for the gang to regroup as it were. While in some ways he looks the most like his age, there’s still a youthful and playful quality about him that harkens back to his earliest Hollywood days. Even someone who wasn’t familiar with the man could see why he’s a star by watching his performance here, as he owns every line he delivers with a masterful technique. Robert De Niro gets to play the most grumpy and emotional of the four, and while some may say this kind of role is beneath the seasoned actor, I’d argue it’s an inspired and complimentary performance that has a sincerity behind it. De Niro isn’t afraid to let the other guys have their shining moments, but knows when to deliver his classic brand of acting just when and where it’s needed. Morgan Freeman gets some of the funniest scenes in the piece, embracing the age he’s playing and being his usual endearing self. I think his role represents the fear a lot of people have when it comes to getting older, but the way it plays out is dignified and fun. There’s a moment in the film when he drinks vodka and Red Bull that is easily one of the best and most incredibly funny scenes – one that will have you laughing hard. Kevin Kline, as one might expect, is fun and engaging while still being a little silly and aloof. There’s a great plot element where his wife gives him permission to “have fun” in Vegas with no consequence, and you can imagine what that lends the story to as things play out. Like the rest of the leads, he’s right at home here and great with the ensemble.

I should also mention the wonderful Mary Steenburgen, who is still very attractive and likable at the age of 60, and plays the seductive songstress beautifully and respectfully. Casting the wrong actress in this role really could have hurt the piece, but Steenburgen holds her own quite well with the heavyweight stars. Jerry Ferrara (Entourage) is also fun as a young and overly-energetic Vegas visitor bothered by the older generation, and Romany Malco has some great moments as the reluctant casino host for our four elder heroes. Also look for the criminally-underused Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives) as an unlikely cross-dressing friend for Kevin Kline.

All in all LAST VEGAS is big on laughs and the fun factor is high, so much so that one could easily forgive the film’s shortcomings. Again, these types of movies are always fairly predictable, so it’s not so much about how everything will wrap up as it is seeing how it gets there. I enjoyed myself a lot while watching it, and in many ways found it more pleasurable that the last two installments of THE HANGOVER, which is funny as this could easily be classified as THE HANGOVER for a much older generation. Getting four old Hollywood pros together for a comedy may seem a little formulaic at first, but take the gamble and bet on these boys to win.

LAST VEGAS hits theaters on November 1, 2013.

Be Sociable, Share!

About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.