An unbiased opinion...the movie is still not good...sorry Disney

Rating: 4/10 (4 April 2010)

I am an absolute sucker for Disney films...live action or otherwise. I have also enjoyed previous Nicholas Sparks films and I, unlike many, many other adults have no hatred or dislike towards Miley Cyrus. I think she has talent and is an idol to millions of young girls and has never done anything overtly outrageous to cause scandal so my dislike of this film has nothing to do with the stupidity of hating a film just because Cyrus is in it. In fact I thought the Hannah Montana movie was cute for what it is. The fact is this is one of the most boring Sparks films and stories and this is the first one he adapted himself. Maybe it worked in book form but I won't be rushing to read it because nearly two hours of a story that really could have been told in five minutes around a camp fire is enough for me. The characters were vapid and empty, the sad ending was forced and annoying and the good performances were buried under a long rather boring story, and a love story that happens so fast your head will spin. In fact The Last Song shows why love is so convoluted given the two fall in deep "real" love after ten minutes of being together. Its just really silly drivel and its not Cyrus' fault but she doesn't help either.
Tween starlet Miley Cyrus tries her chops at drama and I think she might have some acting talent somewhere in her but this wasn't it. She was far too young for this role and her transformation from wild rebel child to good girl was just silly. They even make her physically look softer throughout the film to get the point across that she is reforming from her ways and 'growing up.' Cyrus doesn't ruin the film but is given nothing, and does nothing to add to it either. Alleged real life boyfriend Liam Hemsworth plays Will. Cyrus and him have okay chemistry but he looks so much older than her. In reality there is only two years between them but they just look awkward together despite their chemistry. His character is okay and he likely will have a decent career if he can survive the backlash from this film. Greg Kinnear is a great actor. He's proved it in As Good As It Gets and Little Miss Sunshine and he gets at least a little meat in this film. He gets a better character than others and he pulls off the Dad role with real style. He has good chemistry with Cyrus and Bobby Coleman who plays his son. Coleman deserves mention as he gives literally the best performance in the film. At thirteen he is not new to acting but he literally makes the film nearly redeemable with his strong, emotional performance as the younger son of Kinnear. Kelly Preston (Mrs. Travolta) makes a cameo as the Mom...it doesn't matter.
I love Television. I think Television has some amazing shows with amazing actors but I have this personal stigma against directors going from Television to big screen films because they never seem to know how to handle it. Director Julie Anne Robinson has had a lot of experience on the small screen but this is literally her move into big screen and it falls flat and part of that must rest on her shoulders. The story is long and drawn out, the romance is weak, the plot is mostly silly...how much time needs to be spent on the stupid sea turtles? I wanted to really enjoy this movie, I wanted to laugh, cry, and love the characters and I did none of that...except laugh but it was for the wrong reasons. I would give this entire cast including Cyrus another chance in another picture but this one is just plain silly. Skip it and wait for something far more touching and well written and directed...please. 4/10