The Last Man
Release Date:
February 22, 2002
Limited release
When you think science-fiction, do you think post-apocalyptic romantic comedy? Do you think low-budgets and c-list stars? When you hear of a film called The Last Man, do you think of something other than Darren Aronofsky's next film? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're thinking of The Last Man, starring Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Jeri Ryan, and some guys. If that's not enough for you, it's written and directed by a first-timer, Harry Ralston, whose name sounds like something a cat vomited.
Distributed by Castle Hill Productions, the people who brought you hits like Blue Moon, Left Luggage, and Two Ninjas, The Last Man won the Best Independent Feature Award at the 2000 Festival of Fantastic Films (don't get me started), and the Lumiere Award at the 2000 New Orleans Film Festival, which was apparently given out by fans of the Disney cartoon Beauty and the Beast.
If only Disney was involved.this might have a chance at getting some notice beyond these three paragraphs. But Uncle Walt and company are wisely staying away, despite the promise of a low-budget, sci-fi romantic comedy about the post-apocalyptic romantic problems of the last three people on earth. Yes, I know that description usually makes you think "Memorial Day, 2,500 screens", but alas, it's being released in New York City on the 22nd of February, in Los Angeles sometime in March, and then directly to video. I made that last part up, but it seems likely that I'll make more money during the time The Last Man is in theaters than it will. (Les Winan/BOP)