Grade: C-
Synopsis: In 1977 Dublin, a teen (Jared Leto) just out of high-school deals with his eccentric family, girls, and the death of Elvis Presley, as his future looms before him.
The Last of the High Kings (Summer Fling in the USA) is a solid but unfocused drama highlighted by some good performances.
All the performers are good. Jared Leto carries the film well and makes the best of a script that doesn’t give him a whole lot to do. Supporting Leto, Catherine O’Hara channels Maureen O’Hara (no relation) as Leto’s character’s mother, while Christina Ricci and Gabriel Byrne get third and forth billing for little more than extended cameos. Finally, Colm Meany, whose presence is apparently mandatory for any film set in Ireland, also gives a nice turn as a local politician.
The problem with The Last of the High Kings is its lack of focus. The film tries to be many things: a coming of age story, a teen drama, a nostalgia piece, a look at the politics and prejudices of Ireland, a cautionary tale of a boy finding his way without a father, but in trying to be everything it excels at nothing, and as a result, lacks any resonance after the credits roll.
Bottom Line: If you’re a fan of the performers, The Last of the High Kings shouldn’t disappoint you, but you’ll no doubt be left thinking it could have been something special.
One Response on “The Last of the High Kings (1996)”:
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nic said:
A+
This movie is FANTASTIC…It’s quirky..has a good feel about it…and it also has a young Jared Leto in it, also stars a young Christina Ricci, and has a fantastic performance from Catherine O Hara..might I add they all pull of brilliant Irish accents!!…If you are looking for something a little different then check it out…This movie is also known as “SUMMER FLING” which is the US version…exactly the same, but a different title…you can get this movie, like I did from shopping online at amazon..you wont be wasting your money..
