Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: If You Were The Last (2023)


What is it about?

Adrift in their broken-down space shuttle with little hope of rescue, two astronauts argue over their future as friends or something more. 

Who is in it?

Anthony Mackie - Adam Gherrity

Zoe Chao - Jane Kuang

Favorite Scene:

[spoiler alert]

After learning they'll be headed back to Earth, Adam wishes Jane would remain his best friend, but she declines. 

Favorite Quote: 

"People are meant to be together."

Review: 

Stuck on "My List" for the better part of a year, I finally fired If You Were the Last up for watch, and ultimately, wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was upset I left it on the list for so long! 

The film is a weird blend of hokey meets serious, comedic meets thoughtful. It's quite the blend that causes you to not take the plot overly seriously with its flashback scenes, cut scenes, punch lines, and cheesy "technology". The space aircraft displaying a frown face, followed by a skull and bones 8-bit graphic, isn't exactly what we all think NASA aircraft are like. 

And oh yeah, they had a television, kitchen, and the works aboard...

Nonetheless, in all of its non-seriousness, the film does a tremendous job of displaying what a relationship should be - treating the other person as if they were the last. Here were two people who blocked out the rest of the world (somewhat literally) and shared everything with one another and relied on one another in a platonic way, before that topic was placed on the table. 

They were each other's worlds. 

This film takes a few nice turns, which keep you entertained. Zoe Chao is great throughout the film. And the dance scenes are the best. 

This is a great feel-good film.

Grade: 3.5./5

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Dome Pondering Movie Review: I Used to Be Funny (2023)

What is it about?  A former stand-up comedian struggles with PTSD as she struggles to reclaim her life and to look for the missing girl she used to nanny.  Who is in it? Rachel Sennott - Sam Cowell  Olga Petsa - Brooke Renner Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert]  As the plot comes together (going back and forth from present and past PTSD trauma), we see Sam go back to the house she served as a Nanny, tying the film together.  Favorite Quote:  "Are you going to ask me what I was wearing next?" Review:  After finishing I Use to Be Funny, I struggle to place this film in a box. Comedy?? Not sure why it is labeled as that on Netflix...while it has tremendous humor and one liners, a natural as Sam is a comedian, the deeper story arc surrounds deeper tones of sexual assault, parental death, awful parents, and tons of collateral damage by way of a horrific event.  It's complex to say the least, but it doesn't take away from the film. You're invested in...

Quick Ponder: Breathing Gratitude

Through my deep exhaustion breathes my gratitude.