Undeniably, The Last Goodbye is aimed directly at viewers like us - people who were the same age in the same era as its protagonists in 2003. The film sprinkles nods to the early 2000s that are familiar, even if the film fails to execute these elements with meticulous detail. But beyond its nostalgic setting and outstanding performance from its leads, its writing holds the film back, weighed down by heavy clichés and predictable story beats.
The story follows Heart (Daniella Stranner), who pens a letter recalling her first love. Her memories take us back to 2003, where she fatefully meets Xavier (Matt Lozano), a classmate with a big build but a bigger heart. Through shared pain, the two form a bond that blossoms into something more.
If The Last Goodbye was judged solely on its leads, it would have had a stronger rating. Daniella Stranner and Matt Lozano deliver authentic performances bringing warmth, sincerity, and authenticity to their roles. Their chemistry provides moments of genuine romantic spark which is the kind that lingers and leaves viewers smiling. Both individually and as a pair, they shined in this film. Unfortunately, the writing doesn’t match their performances. The narrative falls back on familiar tropes, making their journey predictable. And it feels as though the script was written in 2003 for a 2003 audience, offering little freshness and little creativity. While the back-to-basics approach makes the story approachable, it also renders the experience quite shallow and has no striking element to set it apart from countless other romances.
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The Last Goodbye (2025) Movie Review: Charming But Clichéd
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