Film deserves a toast
Last Orders

Stars Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren. Columbia TriStar. Rated M. 106 mins.

Reviewer :: Ben Caddaye

On paper, Last Orders has all the ingredients of a quality film – an outstanding cast, a solid storyline and a classy director.

With actors of the calibre of Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren in front of the camera and one of the world’s finest directors in Australian Fred Schepisi behind the lens, Last Orders had to be a quality piece of cinema – and it is.

Based on the novel by Graham Swift, Last Orders revolves around a group of life-long friends who reunite after the death of one their own.

They come together on a journey of discovery into the life they’ve shared, the relationships they’ve had, the tears they’ve shed and the secrets they’ve kept.

Last Orders is a slice-of-life movie in the same vein as classics such as The Big Chill and Peter’s Friends.

It’s certainly as good as these – perhaps a tad better.

Caine, Hoskins and Mirren are excellent and Schepisi’s masterful direction shines through, doing justice to a fascinating tale.

One of the best of the year.