The Last Word (2017): A Feel-Good Film About Appreciating Life
It contains all the comedy, heartfelt drama, and joys of life.
Have a day that matters.
The Last Word was published in movie theaters in 2017. Harriet is a retired businesswoman with a chip on her shoulder. Becoming worried about what people will say about her when she dies, Harriet hires Anne, a young journalist, to write her obituary. This unexpected friendship opens the doors to new risks, challenges, and self-discoveries.
Have you ever thought about what someone will write about you? I immediately said ‘yes’ to The Last Word when I watched the trailer. The Last Word contains all the comedy, heartfelt drama, and joys of life. Living life to the fullest is a must, no matter what others think.
Who knew that Shirley MacLaine and Amanda Seyfried would make an excellent acting duo? Harriet and Anne are both negative women. They know how to challenge each other in a sarcasm war. Their friendship is more impactful than they realize.
Similar to her character, MacLaine has had an influential film career. Harriet has a lot to say and wants everything done her way. MacLaine brings out the sass in Harriet, but she also dons a heartfelt transformation. MacLaine’s best scene is when she fondly cackles at a realization. It’s never too late to change.
This was a strong role for Seyfried to sink her teeth into. It’s a very different character in contrast to her bubbly personality. Despite how she writes, Anne is a worthy journalist. She does her job well and branches through every corner for information. I love her character growth, finding that there is more to Harriet and herself.
One unexpected character joins Harriet and Anne on their adventures. In an effort to help someone less fortunate, Harriet befriends Brenda (AnnJewel Lee Dixon), a young child from an at-risk facility. For her first film role, Dixon is a natural. Brenda has a really dirty mouth and sassy behavior.
I never expected a bond to grow between the trio. The characters take a road trip, one of my favorite storylines in any film. While I liked Brenda’s character, she disrupted the dynamic between Harriet and Anne at times.
Recognizable faces join the supporting cast. Each character has something to say about Harriet. Credits include Tom Everett Scott, Thomas Sadoski, Joel Murray, Adina Porter, and the late Philip Baker Hall and Anne Heche. I was excited to see Heche, who was a stronger actress than most people recognized.
Mark Pellington sprinkles dark comedy, friendship, and growth into this impactful story. He encourages audiences to take risks and keep exploring what makes them happy. During production, he had challenges with balancing the tone between aging and mortality. Like he wanted, the audience comes to know these characters.
Some scenes felt padded, like Harriet psychoanalyzing Anne and trying to boost her dating life. These scenes went on too long.
The Last Word highlights the world of journalism. The life of a journalist is busy and also gratifying. Now that I am a journalist, the movie is more fulfilling. This is a job based on human contact, which makes it more impactful. I never realized how fulfilling journalism was until I was entrusted with personal information to help tell the story or shape a legacy.
The Last Word is slightly based on true events about a Swedish inventor reading his obituary before he died. Never worry about what someone will write about you. Be happy for everything you’ve experienced in life. Keep making the best of it.
Check out The Last Word streaming on Hulu. It’s an uplifting and heartwarming story that made me feel thankful for life.
About the Creator
Marielle Sabbag
Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.
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