The Last Thing He Wanted
The Last Thing He Wanted

The Last Thing He Wanted

2020Movie116 minEnglish

At the turning point of the Iran-Contra affair, Elena McMahon, a fearless investigative journalist covering the 1984 US presidential campaign, puts herself in danger when she abandons her assigned task in order to fulfill the last wish of her ailing father, a mysterious man whose past activities she barely knows.

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Insights

IMDb5.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes27%
Metacritic42/100
Google Users29%
Director: Dee ReesGenres: Drama, Thriller, History

Plot Summary

Based on the novel by Joan Didion, the film follows a journalist who finds herself in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy when she gets involved in her father's illicit arms dealing. As she delves deeper into the murky world of international politics and covert operations, she uncovers unsettling truths about her family and her own role in the unfolding events. The story spans decades and continents, exploring themes of betrayal, idealism, and the complex nature of truth.

Critical Reception

The film received largely negative reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and murky tone. While some acknowledged the ambitious source material and the performances of its cast, the overall consensus was that the film failed to deliver a compelling narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Criticized for its confusing and meandering narrative.
  • The performances, particularly Anne Hathaway's, were often cited as a bright spot, but couldn't salvage the film.
  • Felt like a missed opportunity to adapt a significant literary work effectively.

Google audience: Audiences found the film to be a slow burn with a confusing plot that made it difficult to follow. Many felt it was a disappointment given the talented cast and the intriguing premise, with some praising the acting but lamenting the disjointed storytelling.

Fun Fact

The film is an adaptation of Joan Didion's 1996 novel of the same name, which was considered a difficult book to adapt due to its complex structure and political themes.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This has to be the worst example yet of the Netflix gazillions buying a cast that looks great on paper, but that delivers badly on screen. It isn't necessarily their fault - the writing is as incoherent as it is facile and the direction is ...