Reviews & Ratings for
Last Flag Flying (2017)

In the unlikely event of us making contact with an alien life form and the subsequent requirement to communicate what kind of species we are, sending up a Richard Linklater movie would probably be our best bet.

This is largely due to the fact that there are few better at capturing the broad spectrum of what it means to be human than the Texan director.

With Last Flag Flying, he continues his ongoing examination on the intricacies of humanity by following three Vietnam War veterans.

The three veterans Doc (Steve Carrell) , Sal ( Bryan Cranston) and Mueller ( Lawrence Fishbuene) make what is the prototypical buddy trio - something that does hold this film back slightly due to their dynamic resembling less of something organically humane, than something borne out of movie cliches.

The trio are on their way to pay their respects to Doc's son who was killed on duty in Afghanistan and upon knowing the true nature of his death - not along the battle lines, but in a humanitarian cause of delivering school books to children, Doc decides to bury his son himself rather than at Arlington and thus begins the difficult journey the three face while trying to do so.

This simple act of trying to bury one's child where one desires is extrapolated into an uncharacteristically funny by poignant commentary on war, manhood, age and grief as seen from the lens of three men that could only be described as that older relative that means well but can't help but be embarassing. Their antics include terrorist pranks, finding out that rapper Eminem is white and marvelling at mobile phones.

What's interesting to note is that Sal, the voice of humour in the movie is also often the first to voice out bitter truths about the past and present day life that the three have to accept. It's also him that is responsible for bringing the three to a almost cathartic moment in the later half of the film where they overcome a pending feeling of guilt over the past - albeit in the exact opposite way Sal intended them to.

While it may lack the emotional depth and organic human appeal of many of Linklater's previous films, Last Flag Flying still manages to build on its unofficial prequel The Last Detail, albeit marginally.

3/5