Last Orders (2001)

A group of old friends reminisce about their lives over the years after the death of one of their crew.

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Graham Swift (novel), Fred Schepisi

Stars:

Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Jack
Tom Courtenay	...	Vic
David Hemmings	...	Lenny
Bob Hoskins	...	Ray
Helen Mirren	...	Amy
Ray Winstone	...	Vince
JJ Feild	...	Young Jack
Cameron Fitch	...	Young Vic
Nolan Hemmings	...	Young Lenny
Anatol Yusef	...	Young Ray
Kelly Reilly	...	Young Amy
Stephen McCole	...	Young Vince
George Innes	...	Bernie
Laura Morelli	...	June
Sally Hurst	...	Mandy

Storyline

Jack Dodd (Sir Michael Caine) was a London butcher who enjoyed a pint with his mates for over fifty years. When he died, he died as he lived, with a smile on his face watching a horse race on which he had bet, with borrowed money. But before he died, he had a final request, "Last Orders", that his ashes be scattered in the sea at Margate. This movie follows his mates, Ray (Bob Hoskins), Lenny (David Hemmings), and Vic (Sir Tom Courtenay), and his son Vince (Ray Winstone) as they journey to the sea with the ashes. Along the way, the threads of their lives, their loves and their disappointments are woven together in their memories of Jack and his wife Amy (Dame Helen Mirren).

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Plot Keywords:

ashes | friend | friendship | death | grief | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Classics [United States]

Country:

UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 2002 (UK)

Also Known As:

Las últimas órdenes

Filming Locations:

St. Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$111,676, 3 March 2002

Gross USA:

$2,329,631

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,873,892

Company Credits

Production Co:

Future Films, MBP (Germany), Scala Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of six movies that featured both Bob Hoskins and Sir Michael Caine. The others being Blue Ice (1992), Mona Lisa (1986), Sweet Liberty (1986), Beyond the Limit (1983), and for television, World War II: When Lions Roared (1994).

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Goofs

When the lads leave the pub on the journey to Margate it's mid-afternoon and their next stop is Canterbury Cathedral. When they go in, the clock in the church tower says 8:45.

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Quotes

Ray: I ought to go and see Sue. Y'know? While I'm still... before... Mind you, I haven't spoken to Sue for... I can't think how many years. You can't blame her for that though. Not really. That was more me, I think. I just stopped writing one day. Y'know how it is... things just stop. Then it seems too long to start 'em again.

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Connections

Features Bagpuss (1974)

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Soundtracks

Pink Dally Rue
(1962)
Written by Don Gant and Norris Wilson
Recorded by Jimmy Elledge
(p) 1965 Hickory Records, Inc
Published © 1962 Acuff-Rose Music Ltd
Licensed by Acuff-Rose Music Ltd

User Reviews

A Pint to Friendship!

Funerals/memorial services are probably the last place you want to be after a friend's died. The places you hung out at together seem better monuments than a cemetery or a headstone. And maybe that's where the spirit really rests.

LAST ORDERS is a soft-spoken and beautifully poignant film about the drive to scatter the ashes of a departed friend. Detours to pubs, a war memorial, and the field where he and his wife met stirr the memories of the son and three friends left to carry on. Enduring friendship, fidelity, laughter, and support become the themes of their lives together.

And whereas, in an americain film, this could all turn into a sappy series of flashbacks - Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Micheal Caine, and Ray Winstone perform with all the subtle grace of traditional British cinema.

LAST ORDERS is well worth seeing for anyone.