Miley Cyrus has taken the first step in letting go of her Hannah Montana alter ego with a starring role in THE LAST SONG, which opens in theatres today. The movie is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks and has Miley playing a rebellious teen named Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Miller and hottie Liam Hemsworth playing Will Blakelee, Ronnie’s summer romance.
Ronnie isn’t your typical 17-year-old girl. She is grieving her parents’ divorce, which she blames on her father, and is acting out her frustrations in every way possible. In addition, she is wasting her musical gift and has said ‘no’ to a scholarship at the famous Juilliard School in order to upset her father who is a classical pianist and Ronnie’s music teacher. Ronnie’s Mom (Kelly Preston) has sent Ronnie and her brother, Jonah, to visit her dad at his home in Tybee Island, Georgia, for the summer. Of course, upon her arrival, Ronnie makes sure her father knows she doesn’t want to be there and heads off for a walk in a ‘huff’. Now things get interesting when she meets Will. One thing leads to another, but meeting Will doesn’t necessarily mean that the rest of Ronnie’s summer will be picture-perfect.
Miley’s acting is definitely cheesy in many spots and is often over the top emotional and forced, but somehow, it all works. In addition, the scenes between Ronnie’s brother Jonah (Bobby Coleman) and his and Ronnie’s dad (Greg Kinnear) are really well done. Bobby cries real tears and is totally convincing. It also seems as if Liam Hemsworth has set himself up for a career filled with great opportunities.
The movie has many funny moments, feel-good moments and tearjerker moments (especially at the end). You might want to bring tissues.
Overall, THE LAST SONG is a must-see for all Miley fans and romantics.
Rating: 3.5/5