Last Night (1998)

Last Night is perhaps the quietest of all films about the end of the world, offering a naturalistic study of behaviour and relationships in place of bombastic special effects.

We don’t know why the end is imminent (in just six hours) but there is no public transportation, no public services and rowdiness erupts as looters take over the streets of Toronto and help themselves to abandoned vehicles, shops and restaurants.

Amongst this chaos, Patrick (Don McKellar), Sandra (Sandra Oh), Craig (Callum Keith Rennie), Jennifer (Sarah Polley) and Duncan (David Cronenberg) all have their own plans as to how they want to spend their remaining hours.

Some choose family, others choose isolation. Some despair while others find solace in sex, music or memories.

The exceptional performances – including Cronenberg in a rare appearance in front of the camera as the owner of a power company ringing all his clients to thank them for their custom – give us a real sense of empathy for these wonderfully normal people whose resilience in the teeth of hopelessness is inspiring and moving.

The final scene, where love unexpectedly overcomes despair and crowds celebrate their ultimate destruction, is bizarrely uplifting.

Patrick Wheeler
Don McKellar
Sandra
Sandra Oh
Craig Zwiller
Callum Keith Rennie
Jennifer Wheeler
Sarah Polley
Duncan
David Cronenberg
Mr Wheeler
Robin Gammell
Mrs Wheeler
Roberta Maxwell
Donna
Tracy Wright
Menzies
Michael Mcmurtry
Alex
Trent Mcmullen
Mrs Carlton
Geneviève Bujold
Rose
Jessica Booker
Lily
Karen Glave
Marty
Michael Barry
Marty’s girlfriend
Nathalie Shats

Director
Don McKellar