A Review of ‘Last Party’: Some life and death to this Party
A graduation party spins out of control for a few attendees, causing strange interactions and occurrences.
‘Last Party’: Some life and death to this Party
Cast: Lucie Cecchi, Remi Gerard, Uma Condolo, Teddy Hardy, Victorien Bonnet, Anouchka Henchoz, Loise Do, Blandine Chappelier, Chloe, Mauron, Ruben Lemonnier, Quentin Demon, Paul Tomasini, Marco Gomes, Julien Desremaux, Leonor Guerreiro, Solene Bastos, Chloe Vittenet, Luna Arzoni
Critic’s Rating: 3 Stars out of 5
Director: Nicolos Dozol
Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Language: French (with English subtitles)
Release: 2024
What’s it about?
A graduation party spins out of control for a few attendees, causing strange interactions and occurrences.
Review:
“Relationships at these parties are an abyss of loneliness” – is a line from this peculiar drama that sums up its main theme. Here is a celluloid jaunt that veers off the beaten track, displaying strange goings-on during a graduation get-together. At what should be a joyous and congenial occasion, this party devolves into a night of disorientation and repulsiveness. And the pervasive discomfort leads to a mysterious conclusion which is open to conjecture and debate.The enigmatic tone of this flick is alternatingly intriguing and off-putting, ultimately failing to evoke much emotion. However, the odd interactions and hallucinogenic veneer is sure to keep the audience engaged.
It appears that a bunch of partying youngsters attempt to fill the voids in their respective lives with debauchery. Yes, drugs, alcohol, sex and trance music flow freely. But all these ingredients for a “good time” might fail to serve their purpose – at least for a handful of the guests. Among these is the dull and disillusioned Angela (Lucie Cecchi), whose attire and demeanour reflect her personality. One can only imagine what her reaction is when approached by the lecherous Jules and Jim (Ruben Lemonnier and Quentin Demon). Can Angela’s closest friend Amy (Anouchka Henchoz) help her to loosen up with the aid of a “vitamin”? Then, there’s the star football player Alexander (Remi Gerard), who hopes to offset his unfulfilling life courtesy an amorous tryst with the party’s charismatic host – Romain (Victorien Bonnet).
Third on the film’s list for close scrutiny is Angela’s boyfriend Ethan (Teddy Hardy). But the couple appear to be in a strained relationship. Is his concern and affection for her going unappreciated? And will this scenario impact Ethan’s ability to hit the right notes at performing his trade? Completing the film’s quartet of personal investigations is Lily (Uma Condolo) - a poor little rich girl who is goaded on by her peers to woo a pretty boy. Frustration and ridicule wind up imbuing the minds and hearts of Angela, Alexander, Ethan and Lily. Soon, self-destruction is poised to take centre stage when these flustered souls find themselves mysteriously thrown together.
Director and co-writer Nicolas Dozol sets up a curious premise and uses intense character study to take the place of a conventional plot-driven film. Dozol and his script-collaborators – Leah Ladoux and Paul Tomasini – put in a sincere effort at fleshing out the nature and plight of their party-going foursome. There is an interesting literal and figurative use of a window, a mirror and a locked door along with an unexpected hint of magic. The occasionally wayward camerawork fittingly captures the intoxicant-induced disorientation, as does the tendency of some characters to lose and find personal items. However, some dragging scene could have been truncated with slightly tighter editing.
On the subject of acting, the leads deliver fairly convincing performances and try hard to bring their characters to life. However, their erratic behaviour undermines the credibility of their identities, often leaving the audience to wonder whether the onscreen occurrences are real or hallucinations. One is also left to ponder whether the filmmakers have intended to portray a coming-of-age film or a cinematic meditation on death and rebirth. Whatever the case, the unique strangeness of this film and its bizarre originality works moderately well. However, the Last Party is decidedly not the kind of party to end all parties.
