‘The Last to See Them’ is a home invasion film however somehow it’s not about the act itself. A modern crime movie that wants you to know the other side of things. In the opening scenes, we are treated to a front-seat window view of a car driving up through winding roads. Accompaniment music plays ominously each time the car is seen throughout the story. Each time we see the car, it seems to be getting closer and closer to the family we are introduced to, the Duratis.
With only four main cast members concerning a family and, a brief introduction announcing their demise, I got drawn into the story of ‘The Last to See Them.’ I wasn’t completely satisfied after watching this film by director-writer-actress Sara Summa. However, it’s easy to see her ability to flip the rules for movies within this theme. The film also took out Best Film and Best Director awards at Cinepocalypse Film Festival.
The first scene starts with Dora, the quintessential good girl. Her brother, though younger, seems to favor a bit of anti-social behavior from time to time. Alice and Renzo are the supportive, kind sort of parents any kid would want. Any details further than that are all inconsequential.
A Single Day
Everything takes place over a single day. Yet, performances are relaxed giving an even tempo to the entire 80-minute runtime. The fact is, the whole film feels like a drawn-out tease based on an introductory paragraph. And that paragraph is shown on screen in the first two minutes.
I quite like the standard fare for home invasion films but The Last to See Them isn’t standard fare. So, towards the end, I found myself checking how long the story had left to bring what I knew would happen to the forefront.
Gli Ultimi A Vederli Vivere
"On a Saturday night, late in summer 2012, the Durati family was killed during the robbery of their house. The children were found in their beds, husband and wife had been tied up to chairs."
The Last to See Them 2019 Film Trailer
Yet, this is a story that just wants to give you the before. Before the lives were lost. Framed around the concept of that rudimentary ethos the cops want to know after the fact. Who were the last people to see them alive and more importantly, what were they doing?
The cinematography is maintained enthusiastically. There are even short re-wind moments that let you follow the movements of the four singularly. The technique manages to create a feeling of tension as if being shown what someone else was doing out of the shot could be instrumental to the outcome.
The Last to See Them Movie
Even though watching this film might have you question the futility of life itself nothing happens. Whether or not the story or the murders themselves are conceived from an actual crime is unknown. I did attempt an internet search of the specific details and found it fit numerous scenarios in the news. Perhaps that’s the point, however, without at least some pivotal points of interest, there is nothing that’ll be memorable about this movie.
It made me think of my nanna who currently resides in a nursing home and is now reliant upon the mercy of the chefs to bring her food. The cooks dress up the menu to look like things that are appealing however rarely reflect what they are described as. During a visit, she complained about the shepherd’s pie she’d ordered which didn’t have the mince nor flaky crust with a mashed potato top like you’d expect. Instead, it was a vegetarian dish made to look like a pie. “There’s just nothing interesting about a vegetarian shepherd’s pie.” She said.
It’s just as confusing that despite all this, you can’t help thinking about it from time to time. I guess it’s not so unmemorable after all.
Germany, 79 min, Italian Language
I give The Last to See Them Alive
2.5 beautiful scenic shots out of 5
The Last To See Them 2019 Asks Who Saw This Family Before They Were Murdered - Mother of Movies
Director: Sara Summa
Date Created: 2019-02-20 05:46
2.5
Pros
- Performances and cinematography are a highlight
- The story feels unmemorable but stays with you
Cons
- The Last to See Them is uneventful for 90% of the time
