This Last Lonely Place

This Last Lonely Place is a riveting neo-noir crime drama film released in 2014. Directed by Steve Anderson, it stars Rhys Coiro, Xander Berkeley, and Carly Pope in major roles. The film introduces audiences to a visually striking, gritty noir world predominantly set in the city of Los Angeles' unsparing, nocturnal underbelly.

Rhys Coiro plays the central character, Sam Taylor, an embittered Los Angeles cab driver. Taylor is an ex-marine struggling with the scars of his past while trying to maintain a peaceful life driving his taxicab. The cab, symbolically a microcosm of the city, serves as a stage on which the character's stories unfold. Taylor's calm and mundane routine is upended when a suspicious character, Frank Devore, portrayed convincingly by Xander Berkeley, enters his cab one fateful evening.

Devore, an affluent businessman with an elusive and ominous persona, brings with him an aura of trepidation. He introduces himself as a private investor known for his ruthlessness in the business world, but it is clear that there is much more to him than meets the eye. His precise intentions, shrouded in mystery, form the crux of the narrative as the night progresses.

The plot deepens with the introduction of the third main character, Faye Gardner, played by Carly Pope. Faye is a complex and enigmatic woman who gets involved with both men. She is not only entangled in a romantic affair with Taylor but also has past ties with Devore, which further complicates the situation. Pope's performance as the noir femme fatale adds an absorbing layer of suspense to this film, as each character becomes increasingly entwined in a web of deception, criminality, and peril.

This Last Lonely Place is characterized by its dark aesthetics and a dramatic atmosphere that hooks the audience from the outset. Complementing the tension-loaded performances of the trio is the film's carefully crafted cinematography, which presents Los Angeles as more than just a backdrop. The city becomes a pivotal character in itself, with its hypnotic night skies, dimly lit streets, and labyrinthic expressways encapsulating the intricate themes of isolation, desperation, and moral ambiguity explored in the movie.

The movie compellingly delves into the flawed facets of human nature and reveals the duplicitous side of seemingly average individuals when thrown into a crisis. At its core, however, the movie is an exploration of loneliness and the lengths people will go to escape from it. The narrative's non-linear structure, coupled with frequent flashbacks, adds to the overall sense of disorientation and mounting tension.

Despite its dark tone, the movie isn't devoid of emotional resonance. Anderson skillfully builds empathy towards Taylor, Devore, and Gardner, regardless of their dubious decisions and transgressions. It also provides an examination of the consequences of our actions on our lives and the lives of those around us. The melancholic background score encapsulates the film's noir essence and heightens the emotional beats.

This Last Lonely Place is a movie that asks you to immerse yourself in its plot twists and pay close attention to the subtle changes in its characters' dynamics. It's a remarkable showcase for its lead actors Rhys Coiro, Xander Berkeley, and Carly Pope, who each give deeply committed performances.

In conclusion, This Last Lonely Place is a mesmerizing piece of noir cinema that combines psychological tension, dramatic performances, and evocative cinematography to keep viewers engaged and on the edge of their seats until the very end. For those who enjoy complex narratives and film noir aesthetics, it offers a compelling and moody ride into the night.