Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- sentimental
- warm
- lazy sunday
- comfort viewing
What critics said
Critics found Shirley MacLaine magnetic in the lead role but broadly agreed that the film was an underwhelming vehicle for her talents.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harriet commissions and supervises her own obituary to control how others will remember her.
Harriet's relationship with journalist Anne develops into a life-altering friendship across a significant age gap.
Anne refuses Harriet's approved obituary script and investigates the true facts of Harriet's life.
The plot includes a road trip that contributes to Harriet's personal transformation.
Films like The Last Word, and why
The Intern
shared themes of late-life reinvention, intergenerational friendship, and warm dramatic comedy
Driving Miss Daisy
shared focus on an irascible older protagonist whose controlled life is disrupted by an unexpected younger companion
The Bucket List
shared bittersweet comedy, personal transformation, and road movie elements
Movie Details
- Director
- Mark Pellington
- Release Date
- 2017-03-03
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (378)
Cast
- Shirley MacLaine
- Amanda Seyfried
- Anne Heche
- Thomas Sadoski
- Philip Baker Hall
- Adina Porter
- Sarah Baker
- Tom Everett Scott
- Gedde Watanabe
- Joel Murray
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Hulu, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Last Word about?
- A controlling retired executive hires a young journalist to shape her obituary, only to discover that an honest account and an unlikely friendship can reshape her remaining life.
- What is The Last Word like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Last Word as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Last Word violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Last Word as mild.
- What did critics think of The Last Word?
- Critics found Shirley MacLaine magnetic in the lead role but broadly agreed that the film was an underwhelming vehicle for her talents.
- Which films are like The Last Word?
- Films with a similar feel include The Intern, Driving Miss Daisy, and The Bucket List.
- How long is The Last Word?
- The Last Word runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Last Word?
- In United States, The Last Word streams on Hulu, Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
