Film Review: The Last Kiss

It seems we are living in an age where the proverbial ball and chain has morphed into a straightjacket of monotony. The mere threat of commitment and its formal counterpart-that fearsome "M" word-send men hightailing to the local gentleman's club in search of revelation.

It's this not-so-mid-life onset of crises that drive the twenty-something characters of the dramedy The Last Kiss to infidelity, separation and a generous amount of teary tirades. Somebody speed dial Dr. Phil.

The central commitment-phobe in question is 29-year-old Michael (played by the endearingly goofy Zach Braff). With a stable career, beautiful girlfriend Jenna (Jacinda Barrett) and a baby girl on the way, Michael's life is picture perfect-or is it? Enter cute brunette, in the form of college sophomore Kim (The OC's Rachel Bilson). It's not long before Michael sheds routine and clothing for the possibility of something new. And it's not long before he finds himself sleeping on the porch in a torrent of regret (and on the second day, rainfall).

There are a series of functional subplots scattered throughout the film, whether it's the marital spats of best friend Chris (Casey Affleck) and his wife or the lackluster relationship of Jenna's parents (Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson). Although at times it seems that everyone's relationship is conveniently falling apart, the film remains generally authentic without becoming tedious, courtesy of an array of sexy scenes and a notable cast channeling their character's most intimate flaws.

Penned by Oscar nominee Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby), the script's only real flaw is that the characters seem a bit too wise and sensible for their own cinematic good. In many instances, the characters totter between the cutthroat authenticity of base emotion and the borderline poetic rationality that is a consequence of talking too much.

It's clear that The Last Kiss has no intention of offering clean-cut solutions. Still, while the film admirably showcases relationship qualms in a sincere and brutal light, the lack of resolution is almost a scapegoat way out of avoiding the real grit of love and life. But then maybe that's the problem-no one really wants to find out.