Year: 2017
Rated R
Rating: * 1/2 Stars
Cast: Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, Laurence Fishburne
Last Flag Flying is my latest review. Its story involves three wartime buddies who served in Vietnam. These marines who have almost nothing in common, reunite after many years to go on a journey. One of them has a son who was killed in Iraq two days ago. They start off traveling to Arlington, VA, get detoured to Delaware, and eventually find their way to New Hampshire to bury said son.
"Flag" is directed by innovator and maverick, Richard Linklater. Sadly, it doesn't feel like it for he should know better. Linklater and co-writer Darryl Ponicsan, fashion a film that is pure miscalculation. Sans a serviceable ending scene and a budding opening scene, Last Flag Flying drags and goes nowhere for over two hours. Frankly, it could've managed better had it topped out at eighty minutes or so.

The three personas mentioned in my review's first paragraph, are Larry "Doc" Shepherd, Sal Nealon, and Richard Mueller. They are played by Steve Carell, Bryan Cranston, and Laurence Fishburne. The performances here are decent and utilitarian but it feels like everyone forgot to consult a script supervisor. Carell's "Doc" is muted and you almost forget that he's even present. Cranston's Sal is incredibly annoying and rude. Finally, Fishburne's Mueller constantly whines and preaches (he's a pastor so whatever). With its globetrotting nature, its lack of formation, and its hindered pompousness, Last Flag Flying is in a word, "unsatisfying".

Written by Jesse Burleson
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