– By Cate Marquis –
In THE LAST WORD, Shirley MacLaine stars as Harriet Lauler, a successful, wealthy but not beloved retired businesswoman, who decides to write her own obituary prior to her death. To craft the perfect obit, she hires a young writer at the local newspaper, played by Amanda Seyfried, mostly for her skill in making unpleasant people sound admirable.
Shirley MacLaine plays the kind of flinty character she has played so often and so well since TERMS OF ENDEARMENT. The film looks like a showcase for the iconic star and indeed MacLaine is the best thing in this unremarkable if well-meaning film. The film credits open with a montage of photos, apparently from childhood to present of the star, which suggests a bit of the star having a last word.
MacLaine’s Harriet Lauler is a control freak, who bedevils her staff in the home where she lives alone. As a fierce businesswoman who founded her own successful advertising agency, Harriet is used to having things her own way. A hyper-critical perfectionist, she takes over the hedge clipping when the gardener is not trimming them to her satisfaction, the sauce making from the cook, and even takes the scissors away from her hairdresser. Still, despite her lack of people skills and imperious manner, it is clear she is lonely and unhappy.
Not surprisingly, Harriet wants to have the last word about her own life and legacy, which is what prompts her to march into the newspaper editor’s (Tom Everett Scott) office and demand their obit writer, a young writer named Anne, to pen it for her. Harriet has done her research and admires Anne’s ability to create a glowing obit for even unsavory people. Although Anne declines, Harriet won’t take no for an answer, and wears her down.
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