The Last Word
By S. Jhoanna Robledo,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Refreshing comedy about abrasive woman has strong language.
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What's the Story?
Harriet Lauler (Shirley MacLaine) was once a big success in the advertisting world -- mainly because she was almost always right and made sure everyone else knew it. That driven personality made her rich, but it also pushed a lof of people away. And now that she's a wealthy retiree, Harriet spends her days mostly alone. After a medical scare, she becomes obsessed with what might eventually end up in her obituary and decides to leave nothing to chance. So Harriet hires Anne (Amanda Seyfried), a local newspaper writer, to draft her obituary so she can approve it while she's still alive. This task is made more difficult by the dearth of people willing to discuss Harriet's past, but, as Anne discovers, there may be more to the elderly woman's life story. What will THE LAST WORD on Harriet really be?
Is It Any Good?
It's hard to overstate the importance of chemistry, especially in an intimate, personal film like this one, which succeeds largely due to the charm and rapport of its cast. Most notable of them all is MacLaine, who presides over the proceedings with confidence and command, a potent combination that keeps viewers glued to the screen. Simply put, there are very few actors who have such mastery over their craft. Her wit has crackle, her bite has heart.
And MacLaine is backed fully by the supporting cast, Seyfried and AnnJewel Lee Dixon (as Brenda, the precocious, profane 9-year-old whom Harriet befriends) chief among them. The storyline of The Last Word is steeped in sentimentality -- a hard-edged woman faces her mortality and finds renewal in the unlikeliest of places -- but it's winning nonetheless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the swearing in The Last Word. Do you think it was necessary to the story? Is language alone enough to make a movie too edgy for some viewers?
Why do you think so many people dislike Harriet? Does it mean she's a terrible person? Or is there more going on? How does what you learn about her over the course of the film affect your opinion of her? Do you consider her a role model?
The last part of the film centers on a road trip to see a long-estranged family member. How is this movie similar to/different from other road-trip movies? Why do you think there aren't more female-centered road-trip films?
What role does Brenda play in Harriet's journey? Is it funny or uncomfortable to hear a child actor using strong language? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 3, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: June 6, 2017
- Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Shirley MacLaine, Thomas Sadoski
- Director: Mark Pellington
- Studio: Bleecker Street
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Friendship
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Humility
- Run time: 108 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language
- Last updated: July 26, 2022
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