Last Looks is a fun action/comedy that actually pulls off having a nearly impossible to predict murder mystery.
I am usually very good at figuring out murder mystery movies prior to the big reveal, but Last Looks had me completely stumped the entire way through. I tried to pick up the hints and pieces along the way, but never could quite pinpoint who the killer was until it hit me right in the face as Waldo (Charlie Hunnam) detailed his conclusion. This is the main reason I appreciate this movie so much, but there are several more reasons why it works so well. It is not without its faults, but it is still a very pleasant surprise.
Say what you will about Mel Gibson, he is a pretty good actor. Personally he is kind of the worst, but his skills cannot be denied. He stars in this film as Alistair Pinch, an eccentric actor who has been accused of murdering his wife. Waldo is brought on the case by the studio of his hit show, hoping to clear his name. What follows is a buddy comedy, combined with action, combined with mystery — and I am totally here for it.
Pinch is an over-the-top character and Gibson puts forth the effort to make him just that. Hunnam stole the show for me, but Gibson’s role as supporting actor works. You can’t help but hate the guy, but you also kind of root for him to clear his name. He is a great father, despite being a drunk, and doesn’t seem like the killing type.
Related: The Afterparty Review: A Unique & Fun Murder Mystery
Gibson and Hunnam have great on screen chemistry that took me completely by surprise. They are fun from the very start, and it only gets better from there. Add in the adorable Sophie Fatu, who plays Alistair’s young daughter, and it makes for some of the best comedy scenes of 2022 so far.
My biggest issue with this movie is a side love story that involves Hunnam and Morena Baccarin, who plays his ex-lover Lorena Nascimento. This creates an entire subplot of the film that is completely unnecessary. While it certainly provides another mystery to explore, some great scenes, and more fun characters, I would have rather they saved this exploration for a sequel. Doing so would have allowed the pacing and editing to be tightened up.
Last Looks could have been a ninety minute film and the start of a franchise surrounded around Charlie Waldo, Private Investigator — perhaps it still can. Combining these two cases into one feels like a big misstep, however, I would be very interested in seeing what the future holds for Waldo.
This movie is not perfect, but it is entertaining nonetheless. Hunnam is a fantastic choice for the lead role, and his character Waldo is instantly likeable. Part comedy, part action, and part mystery, this film is an entertaining movie night choice. Last Looks is being released on digital the same day that it hits theaters and because of this I suggest seeing it in the comfort of your own home. While it is an entertaining enough movie, there isn’t anything about it that begs to be seen on the big screen.
Part comedy, part action, and part mystery, Last Looks is a pleasant surprise. It tries to do too much however, and should have stuck to just one mystery that needed solving.
Rating: 3 out of 5
About Last Looks
Charlie Waldo (Charlie Hunnam) is an ex-LAPD superstar who left the force and now lives a life of simplicity and solitude deep in the woods. Alistair Pinch (Mel Gibson) is an eccentric actor who spends his days drunk on the set of his TV show.
When Pinch’s wife is found dead, he is the prime suspect and Waldo is convinced to come out of retirement to investigate what happened. The case finds Waldo contending with gangsters, Hollywood executives and pre-school teachers, all in pursuit of clearing Pinch’s name… or confirming his guilt.
RLJE Films releases LAST LOOKS in Theaters, On Demand and Digital on February 4, 2022.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.