The Last Kiss

3 out of 4 stars

In “The Last Kiss,” Zach Braff (“Scrubs,” “Garden State”) stars as Michael, a 29-year-old going on 30, whose life is nearly perfect. He has a good job, a seemingly perfect relationship with Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) and a baby on the way, but Michael wonders if this is it. He has everything he has ever dreamed of, but he will soon find out that his fairytale life is headed for an unexpected plot twist.

The movie looks at relationships from a man’s perspective, giving it an unusual flavor for a chick flick. Michael’s cast of friends include the recently split-up basket case, Izzy (Michael Weston); the player, Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen); and Chris (Casey Affleck), whose marriage is becoming too much for him to handle. Jenna’s parents are also suffering from a long-time marriage on the rocks. Jenna’s mother, Anna, played by Blythe Danner, longs for her husband to look at her the way Michael looks at Jenna and wishes he would stop being so dull. All the relationships crumbling around Michael just make his look all the more perfect, but at a friend’s wedding something unexpected happens. Michael meets Kim (Rachel Bilson, of “The OC”), a young and spunky college student who is instantly smitten with him. Michael sees her as a chance to spice up his “boring” life, and is forced to decide whether his current relationship is worth risking for a little fun. His choices lead him to humorously chaotic situations as he begins to realize whom he wants to be the last woman he kisses.

“The Last Kiss” will give you a fresh and interesting look at how quickly relationships can go sour and the strength, determination and time it takes to fuel a lasting flame. Everyone in the film has some kind of relationship problem, and the way these problems are overcome (or not) is the heart of the film. “The Last Kiss” begs the eternal question: is succumbing to temptation worth ruining a good relationship?

In an inspiring scene between Michael and Jenna’s father, Michael is told that if he doesn’t stop trying he can’t fail. People make mistakes, but they can be fixed if you try hard enough. “The Last Kiss” is also about growing up, being honest and accepting responsibilities. All of Michael’s problems are caused by his lack of honesty with Jenna, and how scared he is to make a commitment and really grow up.

Although the movie could reasonably be dubbed predictable, its many laughs, revelations and light-hearted moments make this film worth your while (with a student discount, anyway). One female patron, while leaving the theatre, was overheard telling a friend on her cell phone that she enjoyed the movie because she “laughed and cried.” It’s true, “The Last Kiss” will leave you smiling despite its occasional prepackaged, romantic comedy cliches. And, after all, isn’t that what we go to the movies for?