Is The Last Wish Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2024)
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ángel Flores, a promising Spanish actor returns to Spain to fulfill the last dying wish of his theatre master Miguel Lama. Ten years earlier, as a result of his personal tragedy, Ángel had escaped to Mexico where he had become a TV soap star. Miguel Lama’s last wish for Ángel is to travel to a remote monastery up in the mountains of Northern Spain and there to read each page of Dostoyevsky’s thousand-page-novel The Brothers Karamazov three times, then to come to his graveside in the monastery cemetery every night to tell him about the progress made in reading the novel. This mysterious experience reveals the secret of Ángel’s tragedy and helps him understand the role of reading in healing inner personal traumas. Ángel also learns that no dictator in the East, West, South or North who destroys his own people and neighbors will be able to eliminate the importance of authentic literature as the cornerstone of humanity.
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Drama cinema, then The Last Wish offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2024 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
In the evolving tapestry of Drama cinema, the 2024 release of The Last Wish stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ángel Flores, a promising Spanish actor returns to Spain to fulfill the last dying wish of his theatre master Miguel Lama. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ángel Flores, a promising Spanish actor returns to Spain to fulfill the last dying wish of his theatre master Miguel Lama. Ten years earlier, as a result of his personal tragedy, Ángel had escaped to Mexico where he had become a TV soap star. Miguel Lama’s last wish for Ángel is to travel to a remote monastery up in the mountains of Northern Spain and there to read each page of Dostoyevsky’s thousand-page-novel The Brothers Karamazov three times, then to come to his graveside in the monastery cemetery every night to tell him about the progress made in reading the novel. This mysterious experience reveals the secret of Ángel’s tragedy and helps him understand the role of reading in healing inner personal traumas. Ángel also learns that no dictator in the East, West, South or North who destroys his own people and neighbors will be able to eliminate the importance of authentic literature as the cornerstone of humanity."
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Eric Francés, the performance in The Last Wish feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.
The direction by Rax Rinnekangas is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 97 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is The Last Wish truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, The Last Wish explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2024 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Rax Rinnekangas respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, The Last Wish is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Eric Francés or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, The Last Wish is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.6 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.