Last Flag Flying (2017) User Reviews

Solid Performances, Great Script, Lots of Emotion.

[Obi_Bamm_Karaoke · 8/10 · 9 November 2017]

When looking at the total body of work of writer/director/producer Richard Linklater, it would appear that this is a guy that relishes on throwing the movie going public constant curveballs. From the indie darling "Slacker," (which people like Kevin Smith cite as a film that helped them become a filmmaker to begin with) to the "Before" trilogy with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, cult hits like "Dazed and Confused" and "SubUrbia" and the Oscar darling "Boyhood," his diversity in storytelling is one that makes sure that can challenge both himself and the audience. When I found out that his latest venture was adapting and directing Darryl Poniscan's novel (which Poniscan also helped with the screenplay) "Last Flag Flying," I was definitely intrigued by yet another left turn for Linklater.

In this film set near the end of 2003, Steve Carell plays Larry "Doc" Shepherd, who shows up at the bar owned by Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston) after not seeing each other for almost thirty years since they served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam together. With shared experiences that they are not sure they want to talk about, they seek out their third running buddy from those days in Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne), who is now a reverend in a small church. As they are all catching up with each other, Shepherd drops on them his reason for getting together: his son (a Marine himself) has been killed overseas, and he wants Mueller and Nealon to come with him to not only help bury him but along the way heal themselves and each other.

This film was a pleasant surprise for me. The vibe that I got from the one sheet and reading about it was one where I thought would venture into darkness and politics quickly and for the duration of the two hours that it would be on the screen. While there is not much more than a smattering of preachiness here, it is Poniscan's story of these three characters that is relied on to keep things moving, as it should be. These three actors are such powerhouses in their own rights that their work together makes this story even more powerful and even fun. There are some great comedic moments, driven mostly by Cranston's character, that keep the balance of "Last Flag Flying" in perfect harmony with its drama and emotion.

There is also a "name to watch" here in J. Quinton Johnson. Mainly known for being one of the victims of the horrid "Dirty Dancing" experiment earlier this year, don't let that fool you. This young man, as the best friend of Shepherd's son who was there with him when he passed, shows amazing emotional range and compassion that shines through even as he shares the frame with some of the biggest actors of the last three decades. His performance is truly impressive, and I look for much bigger things for him in the future.

Amazon Studios continues to gain steam with their cinematic choices, and along with Lionsgate, they have another winner with "Last Flag Flying". Releasing over Veterans' Day weekend, this is a very respectful and engaging telling of a tale of our service men and women both current and former that runs the gambit of emotion and is truly a great way to spend a couple of hours in any form.

a melancholy comedy-drama from Amazon Studios

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 25 December 2022]

Vietnam vet Larry "Doc" Shepherd (Steve Carell) tracks down a pair of his old military friends: foul-mouthed and hard-drinking barkeep Sal (Bryan Cranston), and minister Mueller (Laurence Fishburne). Doc asks his two friends to accompany him to pick up the remains of his son, a Marine killed in Iraq. The three men set out on an odyssey to have the young man buried and to perhaps put some old ghosts to rest themselves.

This was based on the 2003 novel by Darryl Ponicsan, which was a sequel to his 1970 novel The Last Detail, which was memorably filmed in 1973 with Jack Nicholson, Otis Young, and Randy Quaid. Linklater, who co-wrote the script with Ponicsan, decided to alter this follow-up in several ways, changing the character names and a lot of their back story, but the essential dynamic is the same. I enjoyed this film well enough, but as a big fan of The Last Detail, I spent much of this movie's runtime comparing it, and wondering what might have been had this been filmed 15 years ago and with the original film's cast returning to their roles (Otis Young passed away in 2001, before the sequel novel was published). Seeing at least Nicholson and Quaid return in those roles would have been really something else.

All that aside, this is still a largely enjoyable movie, with good performances and some nice, quiet character moments. The film seems to want to say something about veterans, and what they feel and how they deal with the rest of their lives, and how they end up viewing their country that they sacrificed for but who may have ultimately been lying to them. However, the script doesn't put these thoughts together in a clear enough fashion to be making any kind of definitive statement, but it may be the case that there really isn't one. It's odd to think that a movie set in 2003 is a period piece, but it is, and much is made of a visit by the three aging buddies to a cell phone store to check out the new-fangled technology. I'm curious how this movie will be viewed by actual Vietnam-era military veterans.

A hilariously profound film with three great lead performances.

[FallonTimberlake2016 · 8/10 · 24 October 2017]

Last Flag Flying is a comedy/drama from the acclaimed director of Boyhood and Dazed and Confused, Richard Linklater. It stars Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, and Bryan Cranston as three friends from the Vietnam War who get back together when Carell's son dies in action.

Despite the serious subject matter, this movie is absolutely hilarious. Cranston is absolute comedic gold. He hasn't been as funny as he is here since his Malcolm in the Middle days, and even then he may not have been quite as funny as he is here.

You would think going in that Carell would be the comedian here, but instead he is the dramatic anchor. Carell gives a surprisingly emotional performance, keeping the comedy to a minimum.

Fishburne is between the two, giving both comedy and drama when it's needed. Of the three it is hard to say which gives the best performance, but the edge must go to Cranston. The movie would probably be ten times more boring without him. There are scenes where Cranston single-handedly made the entire audience in my theater howl with laughter.

Last Flag Flying doesn't just give comedy however, it also tackles a great amount of issues that a lesser film would not have pulled off. This film explores the purpose of life, a subject that Linklater is very good at tackling. I would list some of the other issues it tackles, but if I did i would probably be here all day.

This movie is definitely not perfect. Near the middle it starts to drag, which is not that large of an issue, but for one or two scenes it is noticeable.

There is also a very manufactured conflict in the film. It feels like the writers stuck it in just so there was a conflict of some sort, but it easily could have been taken out and the movie would not have changed.

Another issue involves tone. There are a couple scenes where I genuinely could not tell if the film was trying to be serious or funny, but this, like all of the other flaws, is not that big of a deal.

Overall, I recommend Last Flag Flying because of both its hilarity and its drama. It is one of the funniest movie of the year and very profound, despite its flaws.

I give Last Flag Flying a B+.

Brilliantly written, superb cast

[paulaharris-81631 · 7/10 · 11 March 2021]

This film passed me by and what a great surprise it turned out to be, having just watched this superbly written piece, that skillfully captured the sometimes futility of war. The cast were superb and in a subject that could have been dour and difficult to watch, a perfect balance was achieved. Even a moment of hilarity brilliant acted with Cranston left to indulge himself. Was Steve Carrell really laughing.....maybe. I simply loved the end, a fitting end to a superb film.

no need for the Shore Patrol

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 8 November 2017]

Greetings again from the darkness. Apprehension and trepidation are the emotions that strike whenever anyone compares a movie to the classic 1973 Hal Ashby/ Jack Nicholson film THE LAST DETAIL. That holds true even if the novel the film is based on was written by the same author (Darryl Ponicson) who wrote "The Last Detail" (1970), and even if the new film is directed by one of the finest directors working today – Richard Linklater. This latest doesn't play like a true sequel, but the reuniting of three men who served together in Vietnam does hammer home a couple of interesting statements while also delivering the type of dramedy that 2017 audiences tend to connect with.

Larry "Doc" Shepherd (Steve Carell), a former Navy medic, has had the type of year that no one deserves. It's 2003 and he has just been notified that his Marine son was killed in action while on duty in the war in Iraq. This comes only a few months after Doc lost his beloved wife to breast cancer. It's too much for him to handle on his own, so he embarks on a mission to ask his Vietnam buddies from three decades prior to accompany him to claim his son's body at Arlington National Cemetery.

His two buddies are former Marines Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston) and Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishbourne). Sal is a washed out dive bar owner and Mueller is now the Reverend at a small church. The three men share the burden of a war secret that each has tried to forget, and they begin what's basically a road trip movie of middle aged men bonding during what is the absolute low point in life for one of them. Simultaneously, it also seems like an opportunity for all three to rejoin the living.

Lost idealism is the shared trait now among the three men, though their levels of cynicism vary. Edwin Starr sang it, and the characters in this movie openly question: War … What is it good for? Doc, Sal and Mueller have separated themselves from memories of war in three distinct ways – family, booze, and God. It's only by reconnecting with each other that they begin the long overdue process of reflection. TV's are tuned to the capture of Saddam Hussein from the spider-hole, and the similarities of the Vietnam and Iraq wars are contemplated. These are patriotic men who once trusted the government, but are now so disenchanted they ask "what's the point?"

Mr. Cranston has the showiest role, but it's Mr. Carell who shines as the still-in-shock father. J Quinton Johnson also excels as the young Marine charged with accompanying the gentlemen, and the best scene of the film features Cicely Tyson as the mother of a long ago fallen soldier who crossed paths with the three leads. As you might expect in a Linklater movie, the musical choices are unusual and spot on. Bob Dylan ("Not Dark Yet"), Neil Young ("Old Man"), Eminem ("Without Me"), and Levon Helm ("Wide River to Cross") are all included.

The film is certainly an unusual blend of comedy, tragic drama, and contemporary political commentary. Unfortunately, the contrivances are too many and too frequent to allow the film and characters to breathe and achieve the greatness of a true message movie. It teases us with flashes us brilliance and then pokes us in the ribs with another goofy sidebar as if to say "just kidding". It seems this would have been better served as an intimate portrayal of these three aging men who were willing to die for their country than as a giant political anti-war statement and an accusation of how evil the government is. The ultimate message Linklater drills home: be a good friend, and be a good person. We can never have enough of those.

A moving rehearsal

[danielledecolombie · 7/10 · 22 November 2017]

I had the feeling the film was shot before anyone was ready. I love Richard Linklater, Bryan Cranston and Laurence Fishburne, Steve Carrell is also very good but I still have to surrender to his characters. I'm far too aware of him, the actor and Last Flag Flying puts that in evidence. This wonderful actors needed to get those characters a bit more rehearsal time. Also the look is so drab that I'm not sure if that was intentional or if it's just the new digital age. In any case I was moved and I was glad I saw it.

Amazing film

[JeopardyLeyton · 10/10 · 3 September 2019]

Loved this movie, it makes you feel like you're one of the buddies going on this trip with them. It's hilarious and moving and the acting is phenomenal. I'm really surprised it doesn't have a higher rating, it feels like it's a wonderful classic. Definitely watch it!

Great idea, poor execution

[sandrene · 6/10 · 22 November 2017]

This film seems to suffer from an identity crisis. It attempts to tackle many underrepresented topics pertaining to the effect war has on veterans and their families, but it stretched itself too thin and each plot line ended up being a weak caricature of what they were trying to accomplish. With the exception of Bryan Cranston's character, Sal, and at times J. Quinton Johnston's character, Washington, all of the characters weren't very well fleshed out and none of them saw any change from the beginning of the film to the end. The dark subject matter was sprinkled with random bits of humor that, instead of lightening the tone, just felt awkward and out of place, while the story jumped around in so many places, it was hard to tell what it was really about.

There was a flier outside my screening that gave more information about the veteran issues that were highlighted in this film, which leads me to believe that it was made with a greater purpose than just to entertain. This made me even more disappointed in the fact that the writing and cinematography were often lazy, and the overall film felt like one done by an amateur filmmaker, not by a writer/director that's been around for decades. Although there are relatable moments in this film, I'm sure even more so for people who have experienced war, as a whole it is barely a step up from an over politicized after school special.

A war film without the war

[rsg-25524 · 10/10 · 6 February 2018]

Richard Linklater on Last Flag Flying: 'We're not meant to kill. We're not cut out for it' I agree. This film hits the right tone, respectful to the men who have served this country, while also pointing out the futility of war. The ensemble cast is brilliant: Steve Carell does such a subtle job with a great deal of poignancy and what can you say about Bryan Cranston's burned out veteran who is constantly looking for a good time, while Laurence Fishburne is marvelous as a pastor. Such a wonderful film... another great film by Linklater.

A solemn and occasionally humorous story of three reunited friends and their ways of dealing with the effects of PTSD

[MrDHWong · 7/10 · 23 August 2018]

Last Flag Flying is a comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater (Boyhood, School of Rock) and based on the novel of the same name by Darryl Ponicsan. Starring Steve Carrell, Bryan Cranston, and Lawrence Fishburne in the lead roles, it is a solemn and occasionally humorous story of three reunited friends and their ways of dealing with the effects of PTSD.

In 2003, Doc (Steve Carrell), a Vietnam War veteren, meets up with his fellow soldiers Sal (Bryan Cranston) and Mueller (Lawrence Fishburne). Doc reveals that his only son has been recently killed in the Iraq War and that would like the two of them to accompany him in bringing the body home for a proper burial. Sal accepts right away but Mueller is reluctant due to his new lifestyle as a clean-cut Reverend, but after some persuasion by his wife, the two join Doc in his lengthy journey back home.

Well-acted and carefully paced, Last Flag Flying is a respectable film about the effects of war on those who fought in it without the need to actually show the war itself. Each of the three lead actors did a fine job, in particular Bryan Cranston, who is responsible for some much needed comic relief during the film's more depressing moments. The film's simple plot allows for some engaging dialogue between the three friends to be real cause for holding the viewer's attention and, as a result, we are given an interesting look into the mindset of each of the three veterans and how they each cope with the post-war trauma, whether it's through light-hearted comedy or by following Christian principles laid out in the Bible.

I rate it 7/10

A film worth seeing!

[browngr3 · 9/10 · 28 September 2017]

This film was excellent. For a drama, it had a lot of light moments. Bryan Cranston, Lawrence Fishburne, Steve Carrell and J. Quinton Johnson were great. As a Vietnam Veteran, I related to this very well. I won't give any spoilers here but it touched home for me. A movie worth seeing.

Average Melodrama About Reunited Veterans Enjoyable For Cranston and Fishburne's Performances Over Carell's

[MichaelFab · 6/10 · 9 November 2017]

Average soapy melodrama of three Veterans reuniting 30 years later is lifted by "Rick" Linklater and Darryl Ponicsan's writing and great performances by Bryan Cranston as a bar owner and Laurence Fishburne as a minister, more than main character Steve Carell.

Three former Vietnam servicemen meet 30 years later in 2003 when one of their sons is killed serving in Iraq. The three travel to Arlington and Delaware to see the body, destined for Boston. Carell's son, he is told, "died with honor serving his country."

As he mourns, his two friends learn what really happened from the soldier's best friend, a young marine escorting the body. He didn't die in battle. He was shot at a public market by a local when they went to buy soft drinks during their mission moving supplies for Iraqi schools.

After he demands to see his deceased son, he is so emotionally affected that the three decide to bring the body back home themselves, rather than let the military hold a funeral and burial.

This provides some mediocre humor in a few scenes with devious Cranston being the wild card, taking over the transportation, buying his friends their first cell phones and the three being chased by Homeland Security.

The story inspires us with the camaraderie of these three marines who survived to reminisce of their other close friend who did not. It shows the secrets of war and how our fallen heroes may have died through different circumstances than their families were told.

Such as their own friend killed in Vietnam while the other three were being irresponsible and not protecting each other. They visit his mother who thinks her son died saving them. As they sit on her couch they hide the truth. Should they reveal that her son's death may have been partly their fault or let her continue to believe what the government told her 30 years ago?

I wanted to like this movie

[breiver · 5/10 · 17 January 2018]

But in the end it was just a big meh.

Overly long and not very well scripted - which is a shame as it was a great cast.

Proof That Sometimes Chemistry Alone Can Make A Movie Entertaining

[zkonedog · 7/10 · 6 February 2018]

If and when one gets right down to it, "Last Flag Flying" is a little bit of a mess, thematically. It tackles a number of different issues/themes, and comes up inconclusive on most of them. The thing is, though, there is such great chemistry between the three leads of the film that it almost doesn't even matter in the end, because their interactions are so entertaining.

For a basic plot summary, "Last Flag Flying" sees Doc Shepherd (Steve Carell), a former Marine, being informed that his son has died in service to his country. Understandably distraught, Doc does the only thing that seem right under the circumstances, which is to reunite with former Corps mates Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne) and Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston). When the trio discover that the military isn't being exactly honest with them about the circumstances surrounding Doc's son's death, they decide to take matters into their own hands and transport the body back home themselves.

If there ever was a movie that personifies the phrase "more about the journey than the destination", this would be it in spades! Along the way, the trio of former military men reminisce about old times, feel guilty about some events, and just generally try to come to terms with their service and what a mixed-up war Vietnam was both overseas and stateside. As I said in the opening paragraph, there are a lot of lofty themes thrown around during the runtime of this film. Some work...some don't. All told, the plot really doesn't amount to much in the end anyway.

But boy oh boy, is it ever fun to watch Sal, Doc, and the Reverend (Fishburne's character is now a minister, much to the delight of the gang) share the screen. Sometimes, three actors the caliber of Fishburne, Carrell, and Cranston would react like oil and water to each other. The exact opposite happens here, as instead all three bounce perfectly off of each other all film long. Carrell has more of the emotional role, Cranston is the clown, and Fishburne just rolls his eyes at it all (the straight man, if you will). It had been a long time since I had watched a film where the actors so firmly make the proceedings watchable even despite some meandering plot issues.

Now, don't get me wrong...it's not like "Last Flag Flying" is devoid of plot. It indeed does just enough to keep events moving forward. What I'm saying, though, is that this is a film where the character interactions so effortlessly steal the show that it can still be enjoyable even with some pretty simplistic plot structures moving it along. One scene, where the guys just sit around on a train and talk about their past Marines experiences, might be the best of the whole show. That's quite a feat!

Despite being directed by Richard Linklater (now mostly known for the incredibly deep--and Oscar-successful--"Boyhood"), "Last Flag Flying" will likely never ascend to "classic" status. There just really isn't enough to it. If you are just looking for some great acting performances and verbal back-and-back from iconic actors, however, this will be something you can thoroughly enjoy.

Definitely worth your time.

[akash_sky1 · 7/10 · 23 February 2019]

Genuine, touching, at times sad and moving, funny at others . Cracking film and great all round performances. You actually feel like your watching 3 old mates reunite on what would otherwise be rather somber trip and depressing topic.

Realistic' lessons learned.

[kevinandmarsha · 7/10 · 8 February 2018]

All around good movie -- would have been even better, and family friendly, if the bad language had been left out, as it really did not contribute any more to the film. Too bad, since it would have been a great film to watch with children - had some good lessons in there.

Basically, the film portrays the personal struggle of each of the main characters with regards to the Vietnam "war" and a particular incident that happened to them during that time. This underlying theme is threaded through the ovious storyline of one of these men having to bury his son, sent home in a casket from a modern "war". These characters matured and found personal redemption of one sort or another.

And it had a nice ending.

Sentimental in a great way

[mmvandeven · 10/10 · 6 May 2018]

Great movie with a good story line. It's kind of sentimental but in a nice way- you won't mind sobbing over it.

Worth watching

[sumitnair · 6/10 · 25 June 2021]

Although it had a sad plot, I watched this movie because of the amazing cast. Everyone acted well in this drama which had several light moments. The direction was neat and it had a certain calmness to it.

Great Acting

[kalena-95854 · 10/10 · 20 November 2017]

I know this won't win an academy award but not because of the acting or the plot of the movie. This was an excellent movie, it was sad in parts and very funny in others. Great acting by everyone. My boyfriend and I went, he is a Vietnam Vet and the theater was full of people our age but no younger people. Very sad.

Road trip movie, three veterans going to bury a young soldier.

[TxMike · 21 March 2018]

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our local library. In the extras commentary it is mentioned as a "sequel" to the 1973 "The last Detail" but the focus of the story was changed.

The setting is 2003, the Iraq war was raging and Saddam Hussein is being captured in his fox hole. Steve Carell is Larry 'Doc' Shepherd who as a teenager served in Vietnam 30 years earlier as a Navy medic. He just got news that his son, a Marine, was killed in Iraq and the body was being transported back to the States for burial at Arlington Cemetery.

Using an internet search, which was still in its relative infancy in 2003, he looks up his two best buddies from all those years ago. Bryan Cranston is Sal Nealon, owner of Sal's bar. Laurence Fishburne is Reverend Richard Mueller. Neither one is thrilled at first but eventually they agree to accompany Doc.

So the story really is more of a road trip with three old buddies often commenting on the current state of affairs, and various life lessons. Sal is the "agitator in chief" of the group but in the end lessons are learned and life put into a proper perspective.

The three were accompanied by J. Quinton Johnson as active soldier Washington, his TDY assignment. I don't know anything about the young actor but in a supporting role he is very good and seems authentic.

Good movie although a bit long. I found myself wishing it were about 20 to 30 minutes shorter.

Well Done, "Remembering Viet Nam"

[rdg45 · 7/10 · 14 May 2018]

Three good actors telling a good story of remembrance of times when they were bad and times when they were good. Enjoyable, smooth, quiet and subtle impact.

It broke me.

[chaser-51100 · 9/10 · 20 December 2019]

This film broke me . I don't even have family in the military. Yet several times i just burst into tears from the pain you could see in Steve Carrel. He doesn't even have to say a word. He imprints that on you and makes you feel it. And by god do they have a good chemistry as a trio of old friends. Several scenes of them just shooting make you feel like if you were there being told the stories you'd be included and laugh and cry. Perfect cast.

Very sad and depressing but great

[dar0417 · 7/10 · 23 January 2020]

Very sad and depressing film but worth checking out. The acting was brilliant and another solid Richard Linklater film not to be missed.

The outstanding performances can't save this dull, long and pointless script

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 5/10 · 24 December 2017]

I would have given this film a 1 if it wasn't for the outstanding performances from Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Carell. I was struggling to stay awake for this 2+ hour dull, long and pointless melodrama that I question why it was classified also as a comedy. I didn't laugh or even smile once. For that matter, it wasn't even a war film. It's was strictly drama. Richard Linklater gets a 7 for his directing but a 2 for his screenplay. Had the pace been much faster and had some highs and lows to keep me interested, I would have enjoyed it more. But it's only a 5/10 from me and only due to the outstanding performances.

Didn't like it

[Gordon-11 · 18 January 2018]

This film tells the story of a man who lost his son in the war. He enlists the help of two former soldier brothers to help him get through the tough times.

The beginning of the film is strong, as we learn how Steve Carell's character having a horrible life transition. However, the story goes steadily downhill. Bryan Cranston's character is very annoying, unsympathetic and offensive. He doesn't know what respect is, and he just kills the film for me. The story tries to be comedic as well, but the jokes are way off. I did not enjoy the film at all.