You’ve Seen One, You’ve Seen Them All: "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks

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Recommended: 'The Last Song' analysis

Written by Nicholas Sparks and directed by Julie Ann Robinson, The Last Song presents a story about a rebellious teenager who is sent, along with her little brother, to a Southern beach town for the summer with their dad. The estranged teenager reconnects with her father through their passion for music before he dies. Many critics have a split opinion of the performance and message the movie conveyed. Some would agree that the performance was incredible and some who differ. The different critical responses suggested by The Last Song are clearly illustrated by three reviews: “Miley Meets Cute over a spilled milkshake,” by Robert Ebert; “A Miley to Remember,” by Armond White in New York Press; and “The Last Song Movie Review,” by Rebecca Murray. While Ebert and White applaud the film, Murray criticized the movie with comments focusing on the acting (all three critics), the plot (White & Murray), and the movie being unbelievable and silly (Ebert & Murray).

First, in Robert Ebert’s movie review, he admires the acting, but describes the film as being unbelievable and silly. When The Last Song comes to mind, one draws their attention to the main character, Miley Cyrus. Miley Cyrus plays a rebellious teenager named Ronnie, who has pure hatred for her father, played by Greg Kinnear. Although this is her first movie not acting as Hanna Montana, “she does a good job of making her character Ronnie engaging and lovable” (1). She acts as an alienated teen by being distant from her father and the world, showing no emotional features toward situations that face her, including the “Meet Cute” between her and Will.

In Armond White’s review, he praises the acting done by Miley Cyrus and talks about Sparks’ strategy of forming the plot. Becaus...

... middle of paper ...

...he critics agreed that Miley did a good job, even if the movie was unbelievable and silly.

Works Cited

• Ebert, Roger. “The Last Song:: rogerebert.com :: Reviews.” rogerebert.com :: Movie reviews, essays and the Movie Answer Man from film critic Roger Ebert. rogerebert.com, 30 Mar. 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. .

• Murray, Rebecca. “The Last Song Movie Review.” Movie Reviews, Film Trailers, Photos, News, Celebrity Interviews - About Hollywood Movies. About.com, 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. .

• White, Armond. “A Miley to Remember.” New York Press - the premier alternative weekly in New York City. New York Press, 31 Mar. 2010. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. .

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