THE LAST KISS — *** — Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Rachel Bilson; rated R (profanity, sex, vulgarity, nudity, brief drugs, violence).
Zach Braff is continuing to grow and become more confident with each performance. He may not be ready to tackle Shakespeare yet, but he is ready to take on some more challenging roles.
And "The Last Kiss" definitely gives him that opportunity — one in which he can stretch his acting muscles further than he has before.
It's a heavily dramatic comedy-drama, which may surprise fans of his work in the TV series "Scrubs" and the film "Garden State."
An Americanized version of a 2001 Italian film, this version is perceptive and truthful, though the plot's soap opera machinations occasionally lead to overwrought melodrama. Which is why it's good that the likable Braff stars.
He plays Michael, a youthful architect on the cusp of 30 and on the verge of being forced to grow up. Michael's grad student girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) has just discovered she's pregnant, which has him experiencing some doubts about where his life is going.
In fact, he's seriously tempted by Kim (Rachel Bilson), a college student who comes on to Michael during a friend's wedding. But he is in love with Jenna, despite being worried about the permanence and seeming finality of fatherhood and marriage.
As he's written, Michael comes off as caddish, even occasionally repugnant and unlikable, which makes Braff's casting a smart move. Thanks to him, the character is more relatable than he might otherwise be.
Director Tony Goldwyn (2001's "Someone Like You") also juggles various characters and subplots here. The best deal with Michael's unhappily married best friend (Casey Affleck) and Jenna's emotionally neglected mother (Blythe Danner).
Paul Haggis' script does ring true, especially the ending. Not to give anything away, but it's a considerable improvement on the conclusion of the original Italian film.
The movie also has a terrific ensemble cast. Barrett (a last-minute replacement for Rachel McAdams), Affleck, Tom Wilkinson and Bilson are all solid. And Danner nearly steals the film with her devastating, achingly vivid supporting performance.
"The Last Kiss" is rated R for strong sexual language (including profanity, suggestive sex talk and vulgar slang terms), simulated sex and other sexual contact, female and partial male nudity, brief drug content (marijuana use), and some brief violence (fisticuffs and a domestic squabble). Running time: 104 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com