by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor

25 Minute Drive is a World Away

LAST CALL (co-written/directed by Paolo Pilladi w/ co-writer Greg Lingo) is a movie about Philly! Set not far from where David O. Russell (Bradley Cooper/Jennifer Lawrence) beloved Silver Linings Playbook was filmed in Upper Darby.   It stars Jeremy Piven (Entourage) as Seamus “Mick” McDougal a kid from the neighborhood, whose mother was a saintly housewife; his father (Jack McGee) runs The Bucket, a favored watering hole; and his brother (Zach McGowan) is a good looking, good for nothin.  He grew up with a group of guys (Jamie Kennedy, Jason James Richter, Garry Pastore and Peter Patrikios – Yay Peter! I kinda know him ) who are basically the exact same people they were when they were 10 years of age, still just hanging out and being bros. Mick wants a little better for himself, so he gets educated, gets a job in real estate and moves to Center City Philadelphia to experience a little more of the finer things in life – great restaurants, theater, museums etc…  And I totally get it.  I grew up in Abington, 45 minutes outside the city, it’s far more upper-class than Upper Darby, but still, too suburban for my taste.  I was so happy when I landed a job in Center City in my 20’s and could move into town. Made me feel like I was doing something, even though I was so close to home I commuted every day until I saved up enough for a deposit on that first apartment on the corner of Spruce & Juniper.

The death of Mick’s mother brings him back into the neighborhood to stay for a couple of days and for the most part he’s enjoying himself. He finds out a girl he had a crush on, Ali (Taryn Manning Orange is the New Black) who moved away in Junior High is back living with her Grandmom, so he tentatively starts making moves in her direction.  I gotta give props to the costume designer when it comes to Ali’s wardrobe. It really fits the vibe. She dresses like someone who thinks they’re looking professional or chic, but nothing is of quality and just a little too Dress Barn, if you know what I mean.

And really, it’s small details like this, going down the shore, Bruce Dern as the ancient retired coach with a daily spot at The Bucket, and other local shop owners, which makes the movie work as a tone piece about a particular place that hasn’t really changed in 40 years or more. Unfortunately, Last Call tries too hard to be a comedy and to weave in a plot involving dirty dealings in getting the Casino zoning passed, and this is where it loses momentum and authenticity.

T&T @LAMB rating: 3 Outta 5

LAST CALL is currently (3.23.2021) Playing at Ritz 5