“Last Night” Review: Life and Death and the Mysteries in Between

LAST NIGHT (2017) Review
Directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal

If you’re expecting a romance comedy movie or a romance drama movie like their previous film Starting Over Again, then you’re in for a surprise. Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga work with director Joyce Bernal from a story by Bela Padilla. The film tackles life and death, and the romance and mysteries in between.

Last Night tells the story of Mark Peters (Pascual) who has personal troubles that led him to finishing off his life. As he’s about to jump the Jones Bridge in Quiapo, Manila, he meets Carmina Salvador (Gonzaga), who’s dress is stuck after jumping off the bridge minutes earlier. The two befriended each other and decided to commit suicide together. But little by little as they get close to each other, things get more complicated and mysterious.

This is a risky material for a mainstream film. Not only because it tackles committing suicide but also the part where the film defies realism. But it’s also endearing to showcase Manila not as chaotic as we usually see but a city quiet at night and has characters that has the time to give time to others.

It’s a peculiar little film about two strangers that decide to spend their last moments together, planning their suicide in a casual way and in the process, getting emotionally connected to each other.

Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga has no reason to prove that they’re good with their chosen craft. Everything here look and feel as if the the film was written for them. The chemistry, how they throw their dialogues, it feels natural. Director Joyce Bernal fleshed out the charms and the needed depth from the actors effectively.

Manila is quiet at night, Pascual and Gonzaga are perfect fit for their roles. Last Night will dive into how situations can push as far as to committing suicide and then life gives us reasons not to do it. It’s the mysteries in life that surprise us and teach us lessons of how important it is and how easy it is for us to throw it away.

Last Night will get you to think about the film and about life after watching it. It will take you to surprising and unconventional turns that make the film different than the usual Filipino romance movies. It’s not the easiest movie to digest as the story is unusual. You have that urge to ask Bela Padilla what was going on inside her head while writing the story or how was the concept or idea came up to her.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

“Last Night” is now showing in cinemas nationwide from Star Cinema, Spring Films and N Squared Productions. Rated R-13 by the MTRCB.