Final (2001)

Denis Leary is good

Coincidentally, I watched Resolution #9 a few days prior to watching this one. That movie showed a man descending into paranoia-- believing everyone is out to get him and conspiring against him for some type of experiment. This one also has a hero in a similar situation. However, here, there is doubt as to whom to believe.

Denis Leary is great in this role and the movie is interesting, although it's not a perfect film by any means.

He wakes up one morning in a mental hospital believing it is 400 years in the future. He believes he went into the hospital to do a cryogenic experiment on his finger 400 years ago and that he was put into a cryogenic sleep against his will. He believes that he overhears the hospital staff talking about giving him his "final" injection that will kill him.

He tries to enlist the aid of his doctor (played without emotion by Hope Davis) who he begins to trust. As he begins to trust her, he starts doubting his own beliefs.

This movie has a great premise and almost delivers in its execution. Actually, it does, but it's not too satisfying. It's a good movie, but could have been a bit better had Hope Davis' character been a bit more emotional. The movie would have been better served had her character just been a bit less flat.

Recommended with some reservations. If you like the genre, you'll like the movie. February 4, 2008

Could Have Been Better

This film has an interesting premise that doesn't quite live up to its potential. Leary's character, Bill Tyler, is confined in a psychiatric hospital, where he is being evaluated by Dr. Ann Johnson (Hope Davis). Most of the film involves Ann's sessions with Bill, where his claims of being cryogenically frozen for 400 years are interspersed with memories of his past. It all moves along pretty slowly at first, and can be a little confusing, leaving you wondering where it is ultimately headed. Eventually, the truth about Bill is revealed fairly quickly.

The end of the film is somewhat unsatisfying and leaves a lot of questions unresolved. Unfortunately, the DVD lacks any special features, such as commentary, that may lend insight into some of these unanswered questions. Overall, it is not a bad film, and in hindsight will probably be more enjoyable the second or third time around. July 27, 2006

Slow start, powerful development

What at first looks to be a relatively standard drama of a patient in a mental institution turns out to be something far removed from that in this intriguing science fiction film. And make no mistake, this IS science fiction. Once the basic premise is revealed, it is crystal clear that what is really going on here challenges the main character and the viewer as well in their moral priorities.

The main character, Tyler, is played by Dennis Leary, who turns in a solid performance as someone whose paranoid fantasies of his current situation, ostensibly in said mental institution, fuse with his memories of a lost love from years before. His doctor is Hope Davis, here proving her versatility as, at first, a removed scientist, then gradually warming to her subject.

The doctor's sister is also a patient, but one confined because of a physical illness, not for reasons of mental deterioration. This is a key element in the puzzle of this film as it unravels, as is the ice-cold director of the institution and the complete geographical isolation of the institution itself.

As Tyler's memories become clearer, he simultaneously moves closer to the doctor emotionally. This very intelligent plot device is critical in the development of the story. The beginning is a bit slow, because of what, as mentioned, appears to be a fairly routine scenario. But stick around; it gets MUCH better.

A really well thought out script and fine acting make this a highly recommended, literate, science fiction film. September 4, 2004

Twilightzone-esque

"Final" was intriguing enough to keep me interested the entire time. I wanted to give it like 3 and a half stars because it's not quite a 4 star movie, but better than a 3 star movie. There is a great twist in the film (which I love) but the very end was a bit predictable. However, it didn't ruin the movie for me. I'm not sure I would classify this as sci-fi. It's more of a mystery/semi-thriller. It reminded me of the old Twilight Zones a little or The Outer Limits tv show a lot. If you are looking for spaceships, robots, high tech machines ... this movie doesn't have any of that. But it does have some pretty good acting, an interesting plot and a winding story line that will keep you guessing til the very end. There are a lot of bad movies out there today... I wouldn't consider this one of them. August 9, 2004

Not typical Dennis Leary, not typical SciFi.

Dennis Leary is known for his high-speed humorous rants. I was hoping for THAT Dennis Leary.

Science Fiction is known for special effects. Effects... SOME kinda effects.

Neither was in this film.

Oh, sure, Dennis Leary proved he could do a 90 minute soliloquoy (Did I spell that right ? *grin*) with fair impact. Kudos, Dennis.

Beyond that, though, I can't see what others are raving about. The plot-twist was unexpected, but I kept waiting for things that didn't come: more evidence of chemistry between the doctor and Dennis, and SOME evidence of special effects.

If you buy this DVD, be prepared for what it delivers: Good acting by one guy and his lesser-light costar, and a good plot twist at the end.
Other elements you'd expect-- action, high humor, high tension, SF effects, technology of the future-- are not evident. This is a no-action drama with a plot twist. May 28, 2004

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