Location: Los Angeles
"The Last Page"
Written and Directed by Alejandro Amenabar
Produced by Alejandro Amenabar and Guillermo Del Toro
Cinematography by Guillermo Navarro
Original Music by Javier Navarrete
Thriller / Supernatural
Main Cast
Glenn Close as Julianne Wolf-Stevens
Morgan Freeman as Raphael Stevens
Robert Downey Jr. as Blake Smith
Maribel Verdu as Carmen Sanchez
& Hope Davis as Angela Wolf
Tagline: "Some endings are not meant to be told"
Synopsis: After her introverted daughter commits suicide, best selling author Julianne Wolf-Stevens (Close) copes with her loss by writing a novel about the many things left unsaid between them. However, when she finishes and starts reading through her first draft; Julianne discovers that everything has been changed to a new story told through Angela’s point of view: one that ends up with a different version of her death and lots of unanswered questions...
From that moment, Julianne becomes obsessed with Angela’s story (firmly believing she has received a message from her deceased daughter) and without any support from her husband Raphael (Freeman); she seeks help from Blake Smith (Downey Jr.), the sour detective who unwillingly closed Angela’s case due to a lack of evidence. The two immerse into Angela’s chronicle as Raphael becomes more and more concerned about his wife’s mental health. Carmen, their trusted maid, seems to be the only one apart from Smith who believes in Julianne and she also seems to know more about Angela than her own mother. Julianne and Smith interpret Angela’s story as clues to solve her death and they follow them to a dead end on its last page…
Smith can’t understand why Carmen figures so much on Angela’s story while Julianne secretly fears that a bond between them would explain many things about her daughter’s life. Both are also perplexed by the constant mention of Angela’s long-time deceased father (Julianne’s first husband) and the intriguing details on the story that seem to become true day after day. When the gory events detailed on the last page of the story finally happen, Julianne realizes is time to confront more than one ghost from her past… as well as her present…
What the Press would say:
“The Last Page”, the smartly titled new drama by Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar, is definitely one of the most subtle and suspenseful films in recent years. Clearly inspired by the hispanic beliefs about ghosts and life after death (topics Amenabar and producer Guillermo del Toro have explored magnificently in previous films like The Others and The Devil’s Backbone); “The Last Page” is a contemporary thriller that efficiently mixes supernatural elements with relatable human conflicts. Glenn Close is captivating as the mother haunted by guilt, remorse and the need for closure. The Oscarless actress proves why she is a living legend in a role that demands her to go into darker places than she has ever before, and one that most likely will earn her another Oscar nomination and possibly; a long deserved win. Robert Downey Jr. is also terrific as the frustrated law enforcer drawn into the mystery (even if he isn’t completely convinced at first) and he is allowed to demonstrate a wide range of emotions as his character bonds with Close’s. An unusual supporting turn by Morgan Freeman as Julianne’s harsh husband is also outstanding; the veteran actor is able to turn this unsympathetic character into a man legitimately worried for his wife and what he perceives as delusions. Maribel Verdu plays a key role as the maid with a past that secretly intertwines with Angela’s, the spanish actress engages the viewer on each of her scenes. Finally, the much underrated Hope Davis delivers a solid performance through many flashback scenes.
Although the film’s conclusion is not your typical Hollywood ending, Amenabar’s imaginative writing and gifted direction turn the film into a powerful and highly enjoyable thriller where his mysticism fits in perfectly and where his characters remain authentic in spite of the supernatural events around them.
Consider “The Last Page” for the following awards:
Best Picture
Best Director – Alejandro Amenabar
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actress – Glenn Close
Best Actor – Robert Downey Jr.
Best Supporting Actor – Morgan Freeman
Best Supporting Actress – Maribel Verdu & Hope Davis
Creativity Awards
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