It’s really quite misleading to think that “The Last Song” is  supposed to get teenage girls to think that this is the best film they've seen in a long time. This film doesn’t deserve that honour.

Plot
Author Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook, A Walk to Remember) builds all his novels in the same way: the story takes place near a beach, contains an unlikely couple, some have wounds from the past that need to heal – and some are desperately ill. This film is no different. Ronnie Miller (Miley Cyrus), a sour, withdrawn teenager, is forced to spend the summer with her father, who she apparently has not spent much time with since her parents parted. She rebels against him, and he is plagued by guilt for the wounds he has inflicted upon Ronnie and her younger brother.

However, it does not take long before the continually grumpy girl becomes surprisingly happy and cheerful, when she meets the local charmer, Will. Coincidentally, they share an interest in classical literature, saving small turtle eggs, and everything else that fits into the cliché of young love so often portrayed in these films . At the same time the wounds between father and daughter heal. Everything is very sweet and cosy. But can it last? Surely one of them has a rare disease that will inevitably end in death and much heartache?

Quality and Theme
Miley Cyrus has, on several occasions, expressed a wish to take a step further in her acting career. In this film, her efforts are sometimes good and sometimes very flat. She doesn’t have an easy job, seeing that the story is dull, the direction unsure and that too many details do not match. A film entitled "The Last Song" deserves a catchy theme song that matches the talent Ronnie apparently possesses.

Unfortunately, the theme song is easily forgettable and quite boring. Another annoying detail is the fact that the notes Ronnie writes down are different from the ones she plays moments later. Add to that, Liam Hemsworth, who plays Will, is about half a meter taller than Cyrus, making it difficult to get them both into the frame at the same time – it just doesn’t work.   

The thing is that “The Last Song” is going to be a massive hit among teenage girls. It contains everything it needs to become a success for this viewer group. There are tears, there are fights, there are joys, and there are victories. But the audience deserves a better film than this.

Suitability
It is quite obvious which group this film is produced for – there are no inappropriate scenes, there is no bad language, and Ronnie is very proper to be playing a rebel. The film has a fitting PG rating.

Conclusion
There is nothing to be offended by in this film, other than quality.

Facts

Director: Julie Anne Robinson Genre: Drama Actors: Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Bobby Coleman, Liam Hemsworth, Hallock Beals, Kelly Preston and more Language: English Nationality: USA Production Company: Touchstone Pictures Length: 1h 48mins Production Year: 2010 Age Limit: PG Suitability: Young people BBFC’s Consumer Advice: Contains mild violence, language and emotionally intense scenes.

Our Assessment: Not recommended

Official website:
http://touchstone.movies.go.com/thelastsong/

Other reviews:

Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/apr/29/the-last-song-review

Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/7653494/The-Last-Song-review.html