What Do The Critics Say?

"Teen girls raised on Hannah Montana and Twilight may be blindsided by the film’s sheer ordinariness, not to mention its third-act emotional downturn, but the film is engaging and honest, and its target market will find Cyrus’ inchoate rebelliousness relatable. Honest and disarming, although with the obligatory Sparks pathos." David Hughes EMPIRE MAGAZINE "There's little doubt that The Last Song primarily comes off as a fairly typical Nicholas Sparks adaptation, as the movie boasts virtually all of the attributes that one has come to expect from the popular writer's works. The Last Song ultimately proves to be a far more engaging piece of work than the viewer might've initially suspected." REEL FILM REVIEWS "Just because I'm not a fan of Nicholas Sparks isn't going to stop me from recommending The Last Song to its target audience." Kevin Carr 7M PICTURES "Miley and Nicholas have a hit on their hands and boy does that tick some people off. Cyrus is believable in her role and that should be enough for audiences. Sparks’ story touches the heart and that should be enough also. A typical Sparks tearjerker but with more depth and emotion; Cyrus is fine in the lead role. If you can control your tear ducts while watching this story then you are less emotional than I." JACKIEKKOOPER "Summer at her father's beach house proves something of a learning experience for a restless teenage girl in this coming of age tale, which sees Miley Cyrus moving out of her child-star persona towards more adult roles. Nicholas Sparks's adaptation of his bestselling novel certainly keeps her on her toes. The jury is still out on Cyrus's ability to sustain her screen career over the longer term, but this is respectable enough as a first step in that direction." Trevor Johnston RADIO TIMES

"Watchable drama that never strays too far from the Nicholas Sparks formula but succeeds thanks to likeable performances from Miley Cyrus and Greg Kinnear. The Last Song was fairly transparently conceived as a vehicle to enable Miley Cyrus to move away from Hannah Montana and into more grown-up roles. As such, it succeeds admirably. Cyrus delivers an impressive performance that's surprisingly well-rounded." Matthew Turner VIEW LONDON "After Dear John comes another wannabe weepy: though this does suffer from having Miley ‘Marmite’ Cyrus in the lead. If you’re a fan, you’ll love her in her first grown-up, serious role. But if you think she’s intensely annoying, stay way. It’s pretty watchable, mainly thanks to strong performances from Kinnear and Coleman. Cyrus, sadly, fails to convey a broken heart." Roz Laws BIRMINGHAM POST (UK) "Its intended youngish, girlish audience should like it just fine, satisfied sniffles and all." Matt Soergel FLORIDA TIMES-UNION "Will likely provide an unforgettably touching and wonderful film experience for the target teen girl audience that is bound to line up for it in droves." Peter Hammond BOX OFFICE MAGAZINE "With Miley Cyrus about to turn 18, the popette clearly feels it's time to show she's all grown up, hence this romantic melodrama penned by Nicholas Sparks. While it's quite watchable, The Last Song doesn't feel like a film that's been made so much as assembled from standard teen movie clichés. An efficient blend of parental conflict, summer romance and some of those inevitable dressing-up montages, the filmmakers have taken absolutely no risks." David Edwards UK DAILY MIRROR

The Inside Story on The Last Song Writer Nicholas Sparks became a literary superstar in 1996 when overwhelming word of mouth made his novel, "The Notebook", a publishing phenomenon. Sparks’ inspirational stories about the extraordinary lives and loves of ordinary people have won the author a worldwide audience, and his latest novel "The Last Song", is no exception, debuting at #1 on both the New York Times and USA Today best-seller lists. Sparks's deep, sometimes funny and always affecting books have become the basis for a powerful movie franchise. His bittersweet love stories have inspired box-office hits and critical favorites that include "Message in a Bottle", starring Kevin Costner and Robin Wright Penn; "A Walk to Remember", starring Mandy Moore; "The Notebook" starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams; "Nights in Rodanthe", starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane; and most recently, "Dear John", starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. A film adaptation of his novel "The Lucky One" is scheduled for release in 2011. "The Last Song" marks the beginning of a new chapter in Sparks’ career. The author’s fifteenth published book is also his first screenplay. At its heart, "The Last Song" is a poignant journey for a father and daughter who have lost touch with each other and are struggling to find a way back. At the same time, it explores the uncharted territory of young love, as the emotionally closed off Ronnie begins to let down her guard with a boy she meets during summer vacation. Like his previous work, "The Last Song" is a love story but he cautions, "it’s not a romance novel. This is not a dreamy fantasy. It is about real love on a number of levels: the love between a parent and child, young love blooming for the first time, the fondness and caring between mature adults." For director Julie Anne Robinson, who has earned a trio of BAFTA and Golden Globe® nominations for her work on British television, the film’s simple story reflects the writer’s profound understanding of human emotions. "It reminds me of classic films like "Splendor in the Grass". "The Last Song" is about forgiveness and redemption, about people who were once separated being brought together, and it’s about love. It’s about the fragility of human relationships and also how those fragile bonds, once broken, can be mended." The film’s uplifting themes reflect the author’s personal outlook on life. "There are a lot of themes in "The Last Song". You’ve got faith, forgiveness, family: if you get it just right, these are themes that touch viewers; because they recognize them in their own lives." Sparks traces the beginnings of "The Last Song" to a conversation he had with producer Jennifer Gibgot, who was looking for a project that would allow teen star Miley Cyrus to showcase her dramatic abilities. Sparks remembers: "I had just finished writing "The Lucky One". And I was making a decision about what I was going to write next. I try to vary the ages of the characters and their dilemmas to keep the work fresh and interesting for me, as well as for the readers. I’d recently written a couple of novels with characters who were anywhere from twenty to fifty years old, so I was leaning toward writing about a teenage character." It was something Sparks hadn’t done since "A Walk to Remember". As he began formulating his next step, Gibgot ("17 Again" & "Hairspray") called. "She asked if I had anything sitting around that that Miley Cyrus might like. Well, I didn’t have anything sitting around. I’m not that prolific. But she told me Miley loved "A Walk to Remember", so I really put some thought into it and took five or six weeks to develop this story." Sparks presented the producers with a fun, yet emotionally driven father-daughter story. For producer Adam Shankman ("Hairspray"), the privilege of translating novelist Nicholas Sparks's work to the screen comes with a great sense of responsibility. "We are interpreting his work and he has nothing but giant mega-hit books," says Shankman (who choreographed 1999's "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo"). "This is a big emotional story that reminds us that there is something bigger than us out there. It reminds us that love comes in a lot of different forms, that forgiveness is important for our own personal growth. I have a history with Nick, after directing "A Walk to Remember", which was a really good experience for all of us, so I feel accountable." Once Sparks began writing the story, the film began to gather momentum rapidly and it was critical to find a director who could handle the emotional and logistical complexity of the story. "It came together very quickly," says Jennifer Gibgot, "because there was such excitement and enthusiasm from Miley and the studio to make the movie. Nick decided he had to write the script before the novel and we began looking for a director while he wrote the novel." The producers selected Julie Anne Robinson, an accomplished director in Britain. Shankman, who describes Robinson as an "actor’s director," notes that she learned from some of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time, including Stephen Daldry, who guided Kate Winslet to an Oscar® in "The Reader", and Sam Mendes, who did the same for Kevin Spacey in "American Beauty". She has great energy. When she watches, she stands and rocks, as if she’s in the performance with the actor." Robinson likes to work up close and personal with her actors, eschewing the on¬set monitor for many shots. "I need to see what’s on the faces of the actors," Robinson says. "The monitors are so grainy and pixilated, I can’t see their eyes to see if they mean it on a very basic level. When I feel the actors are inhabiting the emotions and really going deep, it excites me. I get thrilled if I can’t see the artifice. It also becomes a quicker process, because if the actors have a question or if I have a note, I’m right there." The film’s story is both universal and intensely personal to Robinson. "Everyone I talk to about "The Last Song" relates to some aspect of it," she says. "My response to the material was greatly affected by the fact that I’m a parent. You see parents making mistakes in this film. When you are a child, you expect your parents to be perfect and when you’re a parent, you realize you are just a person and you do make mistakes. That strand of the story really resonated with me and I think everyone will understand and relate to it." Navigating the emotional highs and lows of Nicholas Sparks's nuanced script was a challenge for even the most experienced actors in the cast. "It’s a simple story, but the actors have to go on huge journeys emotionally," says Robinson ("Grey's Anatomy"). "Nick Sparks has a profound understanding of human emotions. He’s laid it all out for them to go through the whole range of emotional experiences on screen." Robinson was not familiar with her leading lady’s previous work when she signed on to "The Last Song", but she was quickly won over by Cyrus's natural talent and charisma. "She has this amazing star quality. She just glows, and when she walks on the set, everybody knows it. Sometimes I cannot believe she’s sixteen years old. She’s got a tremendous range." Cyrus's enthusiasm and commitment impressed everyone on the set. "Miley is a dream," says Gibgot ("The Pacifier"). "She is such a consummate professional, you forget how young she is. Her dedication, energy and kindness are extraordinary." The role required Cyrus to expand her musical horizons by learning piano, which she says she picked up quickly. "Maybe it was easier because I already play guitar," says Cyrus, who plans to continue her piano studies. "I learned not just how to play a song but how to play it like a classically trained musician, the way to sit, the way you look when you’re at the piano, the posture, the fingering. It’s a lot more discipline than just casual playing." Cyrus hopes this will be the first in a series of roles that allow her to stretch and grow. "I think it’s really important to look for roles that are challenging. This came up at a crazy time. I had a tour, I was working on the show; I thought it might be impossible to fit this in, but it all fell into place. During the production, many of the cast members developed close friendships. Cyrus and Greg Kinnear, who plays her father, found an instant bond. "Greg is a lot like my dad in real life," says the two time Gracie Allen 'Gracie' Award winner (2008 & '09). "He’s very mellow, but he’s very funny and everyone just seems to fall in love with him." 1997 National Board of Review Award winner Kinnear (Best Supporting Actor "As Good As It Gets") was impressed by his young co-star’s work on the film. "This role asks a lot of Miley. It’s full of complex emotions. She did really well. Miley has a great heart and she’s a real pro. I admire that." Kinnear was cast as former concert pianist, Steve Miller. "Steve wants to reunite with his kids and get to know them again. There are a lot of things that are unknown at the start of this movie, and they’re revealed over the course of the summer." "He so beautifully and effortlessly lent that very uptight character some humor," says Gibgot. "I’ve worked with a lot of really great actors and Greg is definitely one of them," says Robinson. The father of three daughters (Lily Kathryn, Audrey Mae & Kate), Kinnear is acutely sensitive to the challenges that come with the territory noting that, "Father-daughter relationships are particularly complicated." Kinnear’s preparation of the role also included taking piano lessons. His newly honed musical skills allowed him to entertain the crew on set with his covers of classic Journey songs. "It was my way of motivating the crew. All I had to do was threaten to play and they went to work." Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth, who played Josh Taylor in twenty five episodes of "Neighbours", was tapped for the role of Will Blakelee. How would he describe his character? "He’s charming and charismatic on the surface. But his secrets are getting in his way." The role required Hemsworth to pick up several new skills in a hurry. First up, the young actor had to be certified in scuba diving before the shoot. Then he had to learn how to play Volleyball. Kelly Preston ("Sky High") who plays Kim is a Nicholas Sparks fan who was drawn to the writer’s inspirational themes. "It’s such a beautiful love story. And so well written. I love Nicholas Sparks as a writer," says the actress, who as a child, attended Pembroke School in Adelaide, South Australia. Bobby Coleman plays Ronnie’s brother Jonah. "Bobby Coleman is a little firecracker. He’s so full of energy," says Preston. 'What I really liked about this movie is the way Nicholas Sparks talks about how you need faith and love and family," says Coleman, who was twelve years old when the film was shot. Coleman and Cyrus engaged in some on and off set high jinks together. "I’m usually the youngest one on the set," says Cyrus. "It was nice to be able to be the big sister for once." Tiny Tybee Island, off the coast of Georgia, with its 3 mile long beach, restaurants, luxurious condominiums, quaint inns, motels and cottages was the setting for the film. What's It All About?

Ronnie and Jonah Miller have travelled with their mother Kim to a small Southern beach town to spend the summer holiday with their estranged father Steve. His teenaged daughter despite being in trouble with the police would rather be home in New York, but her mother won't have any of that. Steve is helping to restore the local church, which has been gutted in a mysterious fire. Despite having no memory of what happened that night, Steve is the prime suspect in an arson investigation. His son is keen to help, but Ronnie soon falls in with the wrong crowd. Once again, despite her protests, she's in trouble. Then she meets Marcus. At first she's not impressed. He's tall, blonde, good looking and as a beach volleyballer, fit. He doesn't give-up on her and love soon blooms. As Ronnies father tries to reconnect with her through the only thing he knows: music; a terrible secret is revealed.

The Verdict "If you are not a fan of Miley Cyrus, "The Last Song" will be a total waste of time. On the other hand, if you are a fan of this talented young lady (only sixteen at the time "The Last Song" was shot), you'll definately get your monies worth. The huge fan base Cyrus garned playing Miley Stewart in the TV series "Hannah Montana" are the target audience for her feature debut in a non-singing, lead role. Another attraction for TV fans is the casting of former "Neighbours" hunk Liam Hemsworth, as the love interest in the film. In a twist, Hemsworth not only hooked up with Cyrus on-screen but also off-screen. According to Cyrus, one of the things that first impressed her about Hemsworth was his drive to leave Australia to try to make it big in Hollywood. "It took a lot of guts," she said. Cyrus plays troubled teenager Ronnie, a role that will instantly connect with a young audience. While the fans should keep the box-office ticking over, the film needs more than a made for a TV audience performance from Cyrus. "The Last Song" is another 'out of the same mould' Nicholas Sparks story except that the centrepiece for his latest offering is a teenager. Unfortunately his latest work suffers from a lack of' spark' (not that will stop his fans from lapping up every moment). Thankfully, "The Last Song" provides some relief for parents (who aren't Sparks or Cyrus fans) accompanying children to a screening. They will find it in to the casting of Greg Kinnear. The popular actor once again gives a workman-like performance. For Cyrus, "The Last Song" isn't a launching pad for a serious acting career in features films, but rather a starting point. Cyrus has plenty of talent, so considering her lack of serious big screen acting experience, gives a reasonable account of herself. WALA. 3 1/2 STARS." The Production Team

Director Screenplay From Producers Original Music Cinematography Film Editor Casting Local Casting Production Design Art Direction Set Decoration Costume Design

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Julie Anne Robinson Nicholas Sparks & Jeff Van Wie the book "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks Jennifer Gibgot & Adam Shankman Aaron Zigman John Lindley Nancy Richardson Amanda Mackey Johnson & Cathy Sandrich Jackie Burch Nelson Coates Scott Meehan James Edward Ferrell Jr Louise Frogley

Who Is Playing Who?

Miley Cyrus Greg Kinnear Bobby Coleman Liam Hemsworth Hallock Beals Kelly Preston Nick Lashaway Carly Chaikin Kate Vernon Nick Searcy Stephanie Leigh Melissa Ordway Adam Barnett Michael Jamorski Carrie Malabre Lance E. Nichols Phil Parham

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Ronnie Miller Steve Miller Jonah Miller Will Blakelee Scott Kim Marcus Blaze Susan Blakelee Tom Blakelee Megan Blakelee Ashley Teddy Lance Cassie Pastor Harris Megan's Husband

Run Time 107 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2010 - Touchstone Pictures - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2010 The Movie Pages & impact Internet Services. All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian and International Copyright. Trademark Laws and Intellectual Property Rights apply.