Movie Review: Stand Out Performances & Quality Filmmaking Makes "Last Breath" A Must-See
11/12 ForReel Score | 4.5/5 Stars
Nothing says “deep dive” on a story like converting your own documentary about a diving disaster into a feature length film - and that’s exactly what filmmaker Alex Parkinson did.
The film Last Breath follows Chris Lemons, portrayed by an outstanding Finn Cole as a saturation diver who must be rescued when he finds himself stranded 262 feet underwater in the North Sea without heat, light or oxygen to survive.
The story delves into this theme of survival and the script offers audience a substantial amount of exposition in accomplishing this. Even though the real life story by itself might seem too short to adapt into a feature length film, Last Breath utilizes much of its narrative to give more insight and development into the secondary characters.
Finn Cole‘s performance as Chris Lemons comes with profound authenticity, but as good as his performance is, Woody Harrelson stands out from the rest as Duncan Allock, the veteran of the divers and mentor who never gives up on rescuing his fellow team member. Simu Liu also brings something new to the table as David Yasua, and you become more attached to his character as the story progresses.
The immersive direction of Alex Parkinson, who also directed the 2019 documentary on the same name and subject, is incredibly entertaining. And the underwater sequences are a highlight technical component of the film, with the camera work being filled with tension throughout the film and as we expect to see something different, they surprise us in a good way.
Last Breath is more than a story about survival, it‘s about overcoming obstacles and accepting that there are consequences for our actions. Ultimately, I found Last Breath to be an enjoyable film, superbly adapted with a brisk running time. The movie excels at offering audiences tension, top notch performances, and exceptional technical filmmaking prowess. This is a movie I am going to think about for a long time.