“The Last Song” introduces us to Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Miller, portrayed by Miley Cyrus, a rebellious seventeen-year-old navigating the complexities of adolescence, parental divorce, and a recent brush with the law. Sent to spend the summer in Georgia with her father, Ronnie is initially resistant, building walls and pushing people away. This sets the stage for a summer of unexpected connections and personal growth, all under the backdrop of a coastal town.
Enter Will Blakelee, played by Liam Hemsworth, the quintessential small-town heartthrob. With his charm and volleyball prowess, Will might seem like the last person to capture Ronnie’s attention. However, in classic summer romance fashion, sparks begin to fly. Despite Ronnie’s initial reluctance, Will’s persistence gradually melts her defenses. Their relationship blossoms quickly, marked by youthful gestures like writing ‘Forever’ on sneakers and playful ocean dips. This whirlwind romance unfolds even as Ronnie grapples with her strained relationship with her piano-playing father, Steve, portrayed by Greg Kinnear. The film dedicates a significant portion to this budding teenage love, perhaps at the expense of exploring deeper emotional layers within their connection and individual struggles. While hinting at Will’s family issues and Ronnie’s understandable anger towards her father, the movie could have benefited from delving more profoundly into these elements to enhance its overall impact.
It’s worth acknowledging Miley Cyrus’s performance as Ronnie. Stepping away from her Disney persona, Cyrus credibly embodies a more mature and angsty character. While there are moments where her portrayal could benefit from greater nuance, she is generally convincing and relatable in her role. For the most part, Cyrus manages to make Ronnie a likable protagonist despite her initial prickly exterior.
Ultimately, “The Last Song” serves as a noteworthy debut on multiple fronts. It marks Julie Anne Robinson’s first venture into directing, Nicholas Sparks’s screenplay debut, and Miley Cyrus’s transition into more mature roles. Viewed through this lens, the film’s imperfections become more forgivable. If you approach “The Last Song” with an open mind and a willingness to overlook some predictable moments, it offers a reasonably enjoyable, if not entirely groundbreaking, viewing experience.
Rating: 6/10
