Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
A drama centered on a rebellious girl who is sent to a Southern beach town for the summer to stay with her father. Through their mutual love of music, the estranged duo learn to reconnect.
The Last Song is a fairly formulaic Nicholas Sparks adaptation — a rebellious teen reconciles with her ailing father while falling in love over a summer vacation. The plot hits well-worn beats with little surprise, and the acting, particularly from a young Miley Cyrus, is inconsistent and generally below the dramatic demands of the material. The cinematography benefits from the attractive coastal setting with competent but unremarkable beach visuals. The film offers little novelty, recycling the Sparks template of bittersweet romance and family tragedy. The ending, while emotionally intended, feels manipulative and telegraphed rather than genuinely earned.