Movie Review: ‘Last Party’ – A Bold but Flawed Experiment in Teen Angst.

Nicolas Dozol’s ‘Last Party’ offers an interestingly unique take on the teen drama genre, weaving together elements of coming-of-age, drama, and mystery into a single narrative that stretches the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

Set against the backdrop of a graduation party, a night that should be filled with celebration, the film instead plunges its four central characters into a world of internal and external conflict, culminating in what could be a life-altering experience for each of them.

The first of the four who we are introduced to is Angela (played by Lucie Cecchi), a shy teenager who would rather skip the party but appears to have been reluctantly dragged along by her friends. The film immediately paints her as an outsider, distracted and anxious, as she tries to reach Ethan (played by Teddy Hardy) her boyfriend who she seems to have a strained relationship, who hasn’t yet shown up to the party. At the party, she crosses paths with Lily (played by Uma Condolo), a rich girl who’s similarly out of place in the midst of wrong friends who are forcing her to be sluty and flirty with boys at the party. Angela and Lily accidentally switch bags.

Then there is another attendee, Alexander (played by Remi Gerard). He initially snubs Lily when she attempts to make a pass at him and then gets into a bit of a scuffle with someone else. As he goes to clean himself up in the bathroom he encounters Romain who seems to be the host of the party. The two boys end up talking about themselves and the expectations of their fathers before eventually hooking up with each other. Ethan eventually shows up at the party and finds Angela wasted but notices that she carrying the wrong bag. He spends most of the night trying to find out who the bag belongs to and who has Angela’s bag.  

As the night progresses, Angela, Alexander, Ethan, and Lily each have some strange encounter in the bathroom by themselves but eventually, they all end up locked in the bathroom together.

The actors did great at holding this narrative together with their performances. Particularly the four who become the centre of the narrative. They each seem very natural and comfortable in the roles they are tasked with each bringing those characters some levels of authenticity and conviction. But few moments seem like they are struggling with the concept of the film particularly in those situations where it appears that the characters are having some strange encounters.

Perhaps it’s not entirely the fault of the actors, but rather some gaps in the writing. However, that’s not the only issue with the script. There are several moments where it’s unclear what’s happening with certain characters or how relevant they are to the overall story. The situation with Angela and Lily switching bags, for instance, feels poorly executed. Initially, it looks like a deliberate move by Lily, only for it to later become apparent that it was unintentional when she accuses Angela of stealing her bag. Also, it feels as though the narrative is reaching for something profound at times, but doesn’t quite land, leaving viewers confused about the significance of certain interactions.

Where “Last Party” really shines is in its use of long takes and fluid camera movements, creating the illusion of a continuous sequence that reflects the chaos and unpredictability of a single night. The camera moves seamlessly from one central character to the next, giving the audience the feeling of drifting through the party alongside the teens. This style cleverly reinforces the film’s tight timeframe and heightens the viewers’ attention and interest in the characters as the film progresses.

The sound design is also unique in a way that adds to the film that adds to the film’s mysterious and quirky feel.

However, despite this clever approach, the film’s pacing begins to feel stretched, with the 60-minute runtime seeming a bit excessive for the story it tells.

Another point of contention is the film’s climax or lack thereof. “Last Party” doesn’t feel like a conventional narrative with a plot that leads to a conclusive resolution. You just are forced to accept this film for its creative approach, uniqueness and somewhat daring experimentation. Whilst also leaving you with a climax that is subject to each viewer’s interpretation. This open-ended approach works well for some films, but here it feels more like a loose thread than an intentional artistic choice. The film leaves you questioning what exactly you just watched, and while that might be the point, it risks alienating those looking for a more coherent narrative.

Perhaps, the idea of the film really is to explore the common fears and uncertainties young people face as they transition from adolescence to adulthood using this graduation party as a symbolic transition from one era to another in the lives of these teens. The locked-room scenario in the bathroom becomes a metaphor for the characters’ internal struggles, as they each face fears tied to growing up, identity, and the daunting prospect of stepping into adulthood.

Regardless, “Last Party” is a unique cinematic experience which is unconventional in the way it approaches its narrative. Nicolas Dozol‘s decision to merge genres and explore the emotional turmoil of adolescence through the lens of a single night is ambitious, and there’s something admirable about the film’s willingness to experiment.

It might not be for everyone and might even be a bit frustrating for some who attempt to sit through it. But for those willing to embrace its ambiguity and artistic experimentation, it most likely would be a thought-provoking exploration of the fears that come with leaving adolescence behind.

I will score this film 6/10.