The Last Time (2006)

35% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
41% of users liked it
(4,546 ratings)

A cynical New York salesman (Michael Keaton) finds his scornful ways unexpectedly softened upon falling for the fiancée of his new business partner (Brendan Fraser), a Midwest transplant attempting to find his footing in the city, in screenwriter-turned-director Michael Caleo's feature directorial… More A cynical New York salesman (Michael Keaton) finds his scornful ways unexpectedly softened upon falling for the fiancée of his new business partner (Brendan Fraser), a Midwest transplant attempting to find his footing in the city, in screenwriter-turned-director Michael Caleo's feature directorial debut. The Bindview Company is a firm comfortably nestled in a corporate park that specializes in a highly profitable product. Ted (Keaton) is a former Northwestern University literature professor who has since found his calling in sales. When fresh-faced Ohio native Jamie (Fraser) arrives at Bindview eager to acclimate to life in the big city, cynical Ted greets the cub salesman with a palpable sense of scorn. Though Jamie is currently engaged to be married to the pretty Belisa (Amber Valletta), the bride-to-be is beginning to view her prospective spouse as something of a loser, and soon sets her sights on his reluctant mentor Ted. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Michael Caleo
Written By: Michael Caleo
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: May 18, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Jul 10, 2007
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Lou Lumenick, New York Post
[Writer-director] Caleo isn't able to sell The Last Time -- not the affair and especially not the ludicrous twist ending.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Feels like a script that was written backwards, as if the twist ending occurred to [writer-director] Caleo first and he then filled out a story to get to it. Fair enough, except getting there in this case is just no fun.
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times
Strives for contemporary noir in tone but feels closer to an ineffective parody of James M. Cain filtered through faux David Mamet dialogue.
John Anderson, Newsday
While his cast is first-rate, director-writer Michael Caleo doesn't know quite what his movie is about.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
For all the good work that went into it, the movie is as phony as a game of three-card monte.
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
Akin to hip-hop culture's misappropriation of Scarface as a tale of gangsta empowerment, writer-director Michael Caleo crudely latches onto the surface misanthropy of David Mamet's work to fuel his forgettable first feature.
Heather Huntington, ReelzChannel.com
Love LaBute? Mad for Mamet? Well, let me introduce you to Michael Caleo.
Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile
Finding the all-important Achilles heel is the central focus of The Last Time, a routine office drama with a love triangle that unexpectedly turns into a biting character study.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
A melodramatic disaster.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Seemingly developed at the David Mamet Institute for Twist-Laden Salesmen Dramas.
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com
Wildly entertaining ... Skillfully walks a fine line between black comedy and intense drama ... It's one of the year's best.
Frank Lovece, Film Journal International
A clever and twisty calling card for filmmaker Michael Caleo.
Tony Medley, tonymedley.com
If this isn't the most irritating film I've seen this year, it's close. No, I take that back. It is the most irritating film I've seen all year.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A little bit nutty and pretty entertaining in a thoroughly unconvincing way. And watch out for that 11th-hour twist -- it's a head snapper.
Jim Hemphill, Reel.com
It alternates between bleak cynicism and a genuinely romantic sensibility, and this unusual combination makes the movie a great vehicle for Keaton and Valletta, and a compelling drama for the audience.
Matt McKillop, Filmcritic.com
exists to pad the resume of everyone whose name appears in the credits.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

This was a good movie, I really didn't see the twist coming at all. The cast were all great and it was nice to see Brendon Fraser out of his lame action rut.
Jose Z

This was a surprisingly good movie. Its a good drama with a little bit of black and satirical comedy. It has a solid and convncing plot, the story about Jamie, a supposedly happy guy who arrives to NY with his fiancee Balisa to work as a salesman where he meets Ted, another some… More
This was a surprisingly good movie. Its a good drama with a little bit of black and satirical comedy. It has a solid and convncing plot, the story about Jamie, a supposedly happy guy who arrives to NY with his fiancee Balisa to work as a salesman where he meets Ted, another some kind of bitter and unfriendly co-worker salesman that is teaching him the way the business is suposed to be. When Ted falls in love of Belisa, the lives of all three begin to change. It is full of twists and although it begins a little slow,it gets a very good rythm around its second half with and unexpected ending. Michael Caleo did a really good job directing his very first film and also by writting the script. The cast is very good and the acting was decent overall. Michael Keaton was excellent, giving his best performance in a very very long time, Brendan Fraser is also very good, he has some very funny moments, he isn't a young actor anymore but he has been evolving in his acting, Amber Valetta a young and beautiful actress, her role was important for the story. In conclusion, its a trhilling, entertaining and enjoyable film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A movie that makes you see how life can change in just a second.
Fascade F

This was a good adult situations movie. Showing severe consequences when dealing with relationships and crossing lines. The ending was surprising but ended very weakly...See this for the experience...
Yinalí R

So-so.
Aurelius D

This is an...odd movie to say the least. Didn't exactly expect certain plot devices. You got the sweet innocent good boy (Brendan) new to a company all full of exuberance and idealism. You got the old hand (Michael) who just right from the start is designed to make you not like… More
This is an...odd movie to say the least. Didn't exactly expect certain plot devices. You got the sweet innocent good boy (Brendan) new to a company all full of exuberance and idealism. You got the old hand (Michael) who just right from the start is designed to make you not like him. He is abrasive and just a real piece of work but he is the tops sales person and why people put up with him. Michael takes Brendan under his wing to teach him how to be a better salesmen and it's not bad enough that Brendan is failing but then Michael starts sleeping with his wife. During the affair Michael starts to soften and become human as Brendan starts spiraling down hill. The twist at the end wasn't exactly expected but then again I wasn't paying the most attention. It was a hard movie to watch due to the way the characters are played. Not exactly missing much if you chose to skip this movie.