The Last Rites of Joe May (2011)

79% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(1,110 ratings)

Dennis Farina gives a tour de force performance in this homage to early-1970s "tough guy" films. Sixtysomething Chicagoan Joe May-a short-money hustler of Rolex knockoffs and bootleg DVDs-returns home from a hospital stay to find out that his apartment has been rented to single mother Jenny (Jamie… More Dennis Farina gives a tour de force performance in this homage to early-1970s "tough guy" films. Sixtysomething Chicagoan Joe May-a short-money hustler of Rolex knockoffs and bootleg DVDs-returns home from a hospital stay to find out that his apartment has been rented to single mother Jenny (Jamie Anne Allman) and her young daughter Angelina (Meredith Droeger) because everyone thought he was dead. Begrudgingly, Joe accepts Jenny's offer to share the apartment. Joe plots his comeback scheme, but instead a domino effect occurs with everything going against him. -- (C) Tribeca

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Joe Maggio
Written By: Joe Maggio
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Nov 4, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Apr 17, 2012
Studio: Tribeca Film

Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Joe Maggio is a sure-handed director with a good eye.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Farina is terrific, getting the pathos of the character while avoiding the self-pity, and leavening the tragedy with some occasional sputtering humor.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Veteran character actor Dennis Farina gives one of the best performances of the year in a rare lead part as an aging, down-on-his luck small-time hood in "The Last Rites of Joe May.''
Manohla Dargis, New York Times
With a few vital strokes - a long, chilly walk and a tired trudge up some stairs - Mr. Farina and Mr. Maggio bring you close...
John Anderson, Wall Street Journal
Mr. Farina has never been more in control of his "instrument," as actors like to say, or more convincing.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
The story gets close to its goal but winds up lost, leaving Farina holding the bag.
Matt Pais, RedEye
Watching Joe May feels like walking behind tourists on the Michigan Avenue bridge. Come onnnnnn.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A down-and-out small-time criminal tries desperately to get his act together.
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
Unfussy cinematography by Jay Silver captures the chill of a Chicago winter...
Scott Tobias, AV Club
The film belongs to Farina, whose history as an actor given to tough-guy roles adds poignancy to a character whose last days are a lesson in humility and grace.
Caryn James, James on screenS
Maggio's film may be small, but it's full of texture.
Eric Kohn, indieWIRE
Dennis Farina's washed-up hustler in The Last Rites of Joe May is designed in the in the mold of a classic movie star tough guy, but the veteran character actor's performance also serves to disassemble it.
David Fear, Time Out New York
Seeing Farina in a lead role is, regrettably, the only reason to check out this tale of a lowlife past his prime.
Marshall Fine, Hollywood & Fine
Offers Farina the chance to demonstrate his range..a finely etched portrait of a man forced to put the best face on some hard choices - mostly to convince himself.
Glenn Heath Jr., Slant Magazine
Despite some glaring dips into formulaic territory, The Last Rites of Joe May offers center stage to a great performer who's made a career of playing supporting tough guys.
Leslie Stonebraker, New York Press
While Last Rites is not revolutionary, it is solid entertainment.