The Last Song

Directed by Julie Anne Robinson, The Last Song—based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks—cobbles together many of the author's customary tearjerker plot threads, with Disney Channel diva Miley Cyrus playing Ronnie Miller, a troubled, surly teen (and piano prodigy) forced to spend the summer with her divorced father Steve (Greg Kinnear) at his Georgia beachfront home. While younger brother Jonah (Bobby Coleman) idolizes the old man—helping him construct a stained-glass window for the local church, which burned down under suspicious circumstances—Ronnie is utterly hostile towards him. During the stay, Ronnie experiences her first romance—with a rich volleyball star named Will (Liam Hemsworth), a handsome local hunk who proves his sensitivity by helping her save a nest of sea turtle eggs from a hungry raccoon. But their relationship is threatened by his snooty mother, a tragedy in his family's past, and a secret he's carrying about that fire (for which Steve was largely blamed). The Last Song also includes a death watch—which seems obligatory in Sparks' work—introduced by a sudden physical collapse, so the final reel becomes one long dirge leading to the funeral parlor. Maudlin and predictable, this lame adaptation hits nothing but sour notes. Not a necessary purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Julie Anne Robinson and co-producer Jennifer Gibgot, a set tour with costar Bobby Coleman (5 min.), the music video “When I Look at You” by Miley Cyrus, a “making-of” featurette on the music video (5 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes (7 min.), an alternate opening sequence (3 min.), and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (F. Swietek)