The Last Rifleman is one of those films from a genre I have often described as “a movie.” It was made for that lazy Sunday afternoon that makes you appreciate what you have or long for what you don’t. This British war drama, which Sky Films has finally dusted off, is now allowing the rest of the world to see it. This is welcomed because The Last Rifleman is a good genre picture.
That’s because Terry Loane’s (In the Land of Saints and Sinners) The Last Rifleman has a bevy of quality messaging that also happens to be highly entertaining. Along with a touching central performance from a well-known movie star and some cameos from the late John Amos in his last film role, it’s a movie experience that is funny, moving, and, above all else, satisfying.
The Last Rifleman’s Review and Synopsis
The film follows former Northern Irish World War II veteran Artie Crawford (OO7’s own Pierce Brosnan), who has just lost his beloved wife Maggie (Stella McCusker) to natural causes. Then, on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, France (D-Day), Artie plans a grand escape from his retirement home to attend the commencement ceremonies.
Why would Artie want to return to such a traumatic day? That is the crux of the film, which uses flashbacks to tell a story of healing, inspiration, and courage as Artie comes to terms with his traumatic youth, honors his long-time friend, and deals with the grief of losing his wife. We see Artie and Maggie (James Keating and Ethlinn Rose) at the tender age of seventeen.
The Last Rifleman is Pierce Brosnan’s Best Performance since The Matador!
The Last of the Rifleman represents Pierce Brosnan’s best performance since the 2005 film The Matador. Of course, this film is entirely different, and we see a new side of the former James Bond star that we never knew he had. However, he plays a character more than two decades older than him, and Brosnan has no trouble capturing the nuances of the role.
It’s the type of character that is easy to read on paper but hard to capture on film. Yet, Brosnan’s Artie brings a quality of quiet, poignant reflection, including moments of heartwarming realization of mortality that stick with you as the credits begin to roll. The theme of unresolvable issues and your essential existential crisis is well thought out here, if not a bit manipulative.
Is The Last Rifleman Worth Watching?
The Last Rifleman is worth watching because, essentially, even though there are moments of flashbacks with war violence, it is a family film with a positive message about resilience and perseverance for those of a certain age. Accompanied with Brosnan’s remarkable performance, which is not just makeup but embodies someone of that age with physical injuries, impressively resonates with the audience.
Finally, Kevin Fitzpatrick’s script does a wonderful job with parallel narratives that meet at the end and bring the story full circle, helping us understand the historical trauma Artie has been carrying. While the film follows a melodramatic playbook step by step, it’s the journey that generates suspense with its flashbacks and moving moments of restoration and reconciliation.
The Last Riflman is a film that they don’t make anyone and need to bring back to the theater.
You can watch The Last Rifleman only in theaters on November 8th!
The Last Rifleman Review — Pierce Brosnan’s Remarkable Performance in a Heartfelt and Moving Tale!
The Last Riflman is a film that they don’t make anyone and need to bring back to the theater. Brosnan’s remarkable moving performance, which is not just makeup but embodies someone of that age with physical injuries, impressively resonates with the audience. Kevin Fitzpatrick’s script focuses on the journey that generates suspense with its flashbacks and moving moments of restoration and reconciliation.
