Last Orders

A humorous, intelligent and emotional movie about the ups and downs of a lifelong friendship between four old pub pals--one of whom has died, providing a reason for a road trip (to scatter his ashes) and a structure for deft layers of brilliantly-acted flashbacks--Last Orders stars Bob Hoskins, Tom Courtenay and David Hemmings as the trio taking Michael Caine's remains to the sea, along with his estranged son (the great gruff Ray Winstone). An afternoon cramped in a car leads to memories of war, love, parenting woes, financial woes, marital woes and more. Writer-director Fred Schepisi's adaptation (Roxanne, The Russia House) of Graham Swift's Booker Prize-winning novel mixes several time periods into a subjectively linear story that seamlessly glides through 50 years. Every little subplot is an important part of the whole, just as every performance from the elder cast (including Helen Mirren as Caine's wife) and their younger counterparts perfectly captures the same spirits within the ebb and flow of their lives. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include theatrical trailers, and commentary from writer/director Fred Schepisi. Bottom line: although sparse on the extras front, Schepisi's intelligent commentary is an excellent addition to this powerful film.] (R. Blackwelder)