Last Orders

Review by By Clint Morris

A few years ago and this title might have been applicable to Michael Caine's career. He had really hit rock bottom, his career was on the verge of receiving said Last Orders. In between doing lifeless Jaws sequels, he was playing bad guys in awful Steven Seagal movies.

Then, through some miracle, someone took a chance on the former great and cast him in the acclaimed Little Voice.

It's essentially been one great role after another for Caine since that stint. His latest is a touching story of friendship from Australian director Fred Schepisi.

Like Fried Green Tomatoes for guys, Last Orders chronicles the life-long friendships of a group of Brits and how they deal with the death of a beloved friend (Caine).

Jack Dodds wishes were to have his ashes laid across a favourite seaside town. And, via a series of flashbacks and flash-forwards, we delve into the relationships he had with the friends commissioned to carry out the last orders, as they drive towards their origin.

Caine appears throughout the film – in flashbacks, naturally – and with the support of the backing ensemble (Hoskins and Winstone, in particular) he turns what could have been another ho-hum attempt at waterworks into something borderlining on very good.

In terms of the screenplay, this one's pretty run of the mill – but thanks to the earnest performances by all involved, Last Orders will keep most engrossed with it's profound characters and brawny themes of friendship.

3 out of 5

Last Orders
Australian release: Thursday July 11th
Cast: Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay, Helen Mirren, Ray Winstone.
Director: Fred Schepisi.
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