Last Will

Good grief, the poor poor exploited downtrodden illegal aliens with their darling sweet children with freshly scrubbed faces and impeccable manners and sweet rosy smiles who can't even get a Federal grant (no really, the movie says that) to fix up their buildings.. get the picture? If you didn't, there is a giant sign in the movie proclaiming "IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW".

The comedy relief is the rich Anglo woman dressed to the nines walking through the depths of the barrio, snapping pictures right and left with her stylish mobile phone. Except the movie doesn't even seem to get the joke, so busy are they burping out their stereotypes. Yikes!

If your idea of a great time at the movies is a ham handed propaganda soufflé, your going to love it.

Hayden (Tatum O'Neill), the wife of wealthy doctor Frank Emery (Tom Berenger) discovers that Frank's brothers have been cooking their family's books. Upon exposing them, Frank is murdered. Framed and isolated, Hayden must find out the truth amid a major Midwestern trial.

Channels like Hallmark and Lifetime make these movies often; small, independent, low-budget mysteries with actors of a previous generation. "Last Will" is a similar type of film, exemplifying what can happen when a decent script and a decent budget are combined.

Tatum O'Neill does an able job as the helpless housewife thrust into the mystery of her husband; shocked that an outstanding man like her husband could do something like go to a strip club. You work through the first half hour of the film in a daze as it repeats the characters motives again and again, to try and prevent you from being surprised at twists down the road.

Tom Berenger is one of my favorite actors, but recently it seems like every film he does has the same basic formula of a bit of action, a bit of mystery, a bit of Berenger. He isn't in the film as much as I'd like but he does not bait-and-switch, either. Fans will also welcome the faces of Peter Coyote and James Brolin, heroes of a bygone era whose rugged good looks and solid support make them able additions to the cast.

If it is a cheesy, formulaic, unsurprising mystery you are looking for, "Last Will" does an admirable job at solidifying its place in the daytime cable television slot between the "Family Feud" and the News at Noon. Enjoy.

When you see Tom Berenger in a film, you know it went straight to video. When he first became known, people were shocked by his resemblance to Paul Newman. So much so, there was a rumor he was Newman's son. I had to watch a few minutes before realizing it was him.

Berenger plays a surgeon, Frank Emery, one of three brothers from a wealthy real estate family. He marries Hayden (Tatum O'Neal) and they are deeply in love.

She learns that the real estate brothers are buying up property cheaply, with the goal of throwing the mostly illegals out and building condos. Meanwhile there are leaks, rats, you name it. Her husband is not involved in that business but as president of the corporation, he stops the condo plans.

Hayden then realizes not only are the books cooked, but they have paid off judges and politicians, and the Chief of Police (James Brolin) is a good friend.

Before he dies (he hasn't felt well the entire film) Frank makes a new will leaving everything to Hayden.

Frank does pass away, but it turns out to be murdered, and she's arrested.

Not very impressive. Don't miss the filler montage at the end. Guess they needed a few more running minutes.

Played like a bad daytime soap opera. The actimg was atrocious. Tatum's emotionless performance was so bad it was laughable. This is just a pile of rubbish.

What a load of unadulterated rubbish. Acting wooden and amateur. O'Neil desperately needs acting lessons. A far cry from when she was young I guess coke finally took it's toll. The storyline was pathetic, the directing inexcusable and the conclusion so obvious a blind man could have seen it coming.

Don't waste your time watching this poor excuse for a movie rather read a book or something or stare at a sunset it's far more rewarding. Life's too short to watch this inane garbage.

How do they get away with this? Tax write offs no doubt. I note some person actually wrote a glowing review of this movie. I guess there is no accounting for poor judgment & taste.