Last Dance (1996)

A lawyer assigned to the clemency case of a woman on death row finds himself forming a deep friendship with her while he tries to prevent her impending execution.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Steven Haft (story), Ron Koslow (story)

Stars:

Sharon Stone, Rob Morrow, Randy Quaid

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sharon Stone	...	Cindy Liggett
Rob Morrow	...	Rick Hayes
Randy Quaid	...	Sam Burns
Peter Gallagher	...	John Hayes
Jack Thompson	...	The Governor
Jayne Brook	...	Jill
Pamala Tyson	...	Linda, Legal Aid Attorney
Skeet Ulrich	...	Billy, Cindy's Brother
Don Harvey	...	Doug
Diane Sellers	...	Inmate Reggie
Patricia French	...	Guard Frances
Jeffrey Buckner Ford	...	D.A. Rusk (as Jeffrey Ford)
Dave Hager	...	Detective Vollo
Christine Cattell	...	Louise
Peg Allen	...	Helen

Storyline

Upon taking a new job, young lawyer Rick Hayes is assigned to the clemency case of Cindy Liggett, a woman convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. As Hayes investigates the background for her case, the two begin to form a deep friendship, while all the while the date for her execution draws nearer.

---

Plot Keywords:

death | lawyer | murder | rural setting | tattoo | 

---

Taglines:

Sometimes justice is a crime

---

Genres:

Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and some drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Último recurso

Filming Locations:

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India

Box Office

Gross USA:

$5,858,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of a number of Hollywood movies set in the American South directed by Australian director Bruce Beresford. The films include Last Dance (1996), Rich in Love (1992), Tender Mercies (1983) Crimes of the Heart (1986) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989).

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: The Pallbearer/Barb Wire/Last Dance/The Great White Hype/The Craft (1996)

---

Soundtracks

American Quartets in F Op. 96
Composed by Antonín Dvorák
Performed by the Stamitz-Quartet
Courtesy of Bayer Records
By Arrangement with Qualiton Imports, Ltd.

User Reviews

Much better than Dead Man Walking

Tough-to-watch story about a death row inmate (Stone) and the weeks before her execution. She is on death row for murders committed 10-15 years before, while under influence of alcohol, drugs, crazy boyfriend. Young hotshot lawyer (Morrow) tries to appeal, using evidence that would have cleared her, had it ever been introduced in trial. Story is actually about the struggle of love: romantic, platonic, self-esteem/love of self, love of humanity/against the death penalty. Funny thing happens to this lawyer on the way to death row...he falls in love with his client/prisoner. Is love from afar, as they never have physically intimate moments, but audience can feel the love/passion/heartbreak unfold on screen. Best performance for Stone, who believably delivers line after line of heart-wrenching, white trash, prison living drama. Not only do you feel for her, and Morrow's lawyer character, but you begin to re-examine your stance on prison and the death penalty. My heart broke, and I sobbed, when she uttered the line, "I ain't gonna beg for something I'm not gonna get." She is referring to the compassion and forgiveness her lawyer went to seek from her victims' families. You will struggle to keep it together during this movie, and will need time to emotionally recover afterwards. I cried as much as when I watched Saving Private Ryan. Both movies should be part of your permanent collection.