Black Man Robs a Fast Food Restrant Funny
State of the Nation
Astute observational indie about two guys who are stuck. Neither can admit that anyone is worse off, on a lower rung of America's economic ladder. They find themselves working together at a slow fast-food drive-through in a town that's been left behind. The elder of the two -- played with almost painful truthfulness by Richard Jenkins -- is a crumbling white guy who has been serving up low-nutrition burgers and fries for 38 years and thinks he's looking forward to his last shift. His trainee is a gifted young black man -- skilfully presented by Shane Paul McGhie as a charmer with a chip on his shoulder -- whose intelligence can't save him from the consequences of his resentment.
Written and directed with skill and sensitivity by documentarian Andrew Cohn, this is an understated state-of-the-nation piece that makes its points without ever resorting to polemic.
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Decent Film
Richard Jenkins was great, he nailed this role. This film won't get him an Oscar but based on his performance you should give it a watch. As far as the movie goes, it was nothing really over the top or spectacular. Just a simple film with a decent story and good acting. 6 stars.
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Excellent performances with interesting themes worth talking about
IN A NUTSHELL: Not to be confused with the movie Last Shift, which is a horror flick, this dramedy features excellent performances. The film was written and directed by Andrew Cohn and will make you think about your life choices. It's an interesting peek at two fast-food employees who have opposing attitudes, work ethic, and lives, yet end up in the same place. The Last Shift is a movie that is being called a comedy, but it's not the laugh-fest you might be hoping for. Instead, it's a very slow burn that plays more like a sad drama with some intriguing themes worth talking about. Unfortunately, the director doesn't go deep enough in that conversation and most audiences are walking away bored and hungry.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Some profanity, including F-bombs, although other swear words are replaced with less offensive words like "fricken". Some crude language and conversations. A man flips the bird. A man gets mugged. Kids will be bored. So will some adults.
THEMES: Working for a living, your life's work Taking pride in your work Teamwork Attitude Valuing yourself and others The price of crime and education Racism Integrity The influence we have on each other.
THINGS I LIKED: Richard Jenkins is absolutely fantastic and gives a stellar performance in this role. His subtle facial expressions and body movements kept me mesmerized the entire time. Shane Paul McGhie began practicing his Academy Award acceptance speech when he was only 4 years old. He attended the Beverly Hills High School Theatre Arts Department. He has pumped out a ton of small roles on TV and on movies in just the last 2 years, so I would say he's well on his way to a successful acting career. So many things were NOT said in the movie, leaving unfinished conversations and unanswered questions hanging in the air. If that was intentional, it was effective; however, if that wasn't a deliberate choice but due to a poorly designed narrative, then it was still effective. That being said, it leaves the audience a bit frustrated. I always get a kick out of Ed O'Neill. His colorful character offered most of the humorous moments in the film, as well as some context for Stanley's character. Other cast members who provided some background and who did a very good job were Allison Tolman, Birgundi Baker, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Both of the protagonists experience shifts in their character and thinking, and it was fascinating to watch the events that caused those changes.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It's a slow burn. A lot of viewers are leaving the theater dissatisfied, saying that absolutely nothing happens in the movie. Some of the editing was choppy. There is one scene that had a transition that made it hard for me to know if the events occurred immediately after the previous scene or after a longer period of time. It took me a minute to realize the timeline for some reason. The movie is being advertised as a comedy, but the lines that were the most memorable to me were the ones that provided some interesting insights.
You can see the insightful quotes I shared in my review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel.
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Endings and beginnings
Richard Jenkins ... always an excellent choice if he's available. Such a range this guy has - and his performance here is matched by his .. well "successor". While he is on his way out, he will get replaced and has to teach the guy who comes after him how to do the job he did.
The fact that the guy is an ex con and way younger than our leading man ... well it has to lead to some conflicts. For better or worse those two have different world views. And whether you agree with one or the other ... it does fuel the story and the character development ... and adds tremendous drama to the whole thing. Some other great additions in the acting department round up a really interesting drama - slow moving, but good, with many themes that will connect to a certain target audience.
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A little disappointing
I expected more bonding between the two, and the story to be more touching. I didn't really get either. I'm a little disappointed by it.
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Some of us have jobs
Warning: Spoilers
In the rust belt, Stanley (Richard Jenkins) works at Oscar's Chicken and Fish. He has done so for 38 years. He didn't graduate the class of 1971, but wears the ring as if he did. He has saved up so he can buy a car and drive to Florida so he can take his mother out of a nursing home. He has given noticed but must first train Javon (Shane Paul McGhie) who is on parole. There is a generational and racial difference that we see, but the two are both wage slaves to the system.
The film was timely, but not hard hitting. It shows the nuances of racial divides as it pertains to a common class and educational struggle. No real climax.
Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.
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The race thing is so old and played-out, but
This story was written with a quill (or disposable Bic) not a sledge hammer. While it has the predictable white = bad, black = good thing happening, the story is actually new (to me, on film). Growing up, going through my first part-time jobs, I always ran into older people who unaccountably had the same responsibilities as I did. I didn't necessarily pity them, but I was curious about them. This film gives "that guy" some dimension, a life. I also like that the younger character can get in cross-ways with the law without being a thug. That's probably a lot more common than we know. It's not a story to change your life, but it is a thoughtful piece all the same.
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not a comedy
There was nothing, absolutely nothing in this film that could be classed as funny. it was a very realistic look at the working class man, and the problems troubled kids face. it was a good movie, very touching, great acting and pulled at my heartstrings.
it had a start and a middle then the credits rolled, if it was an episode of a series youd be interested to watch the next episode.
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Jenkins is Amazing
A slow burn but enjoyable throughout. Jenkins proves why he is one of the best actors out there. Bravo! Stellar performance by the full cast as well.
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A Unique Look at an aging Earnest Loser
I have met Stanley, I have met Javan and these two characters strike such a sincere chord of real American life that are so common but so under represented. The story doesn't claim to be entertaining, because the lives of these character are not entertaining. This is a 90 minute look at 2 less than mediocre lives intertwining race, class, and family issues. It's a slow burn, but very worth it.
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Fantastic movie, great acting and well shot.
Richard Jenkins & Shane Paul McGhie did a great job making their characters come to life. It's a movie about real life for many people in the US, that the countries or people in privilege places don't even bat an eye.
A sad reality, but a reality.
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Good Actors But Rambling Script
Warning: Spoilers
I saw "The Last Shift", starring Richard Jenkins-The Shape of Water, White House Down; Shane Paul McGhie-Deputy_tv, What Men Want; Allison Tolman-Fargo_tv, Krampus and Ed O'Neill-Modern Family_tv, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. This is a lame comedy/drama with some good actors but a rambling script. Richard works at a fast food joint and has decided that it is time to retire-he has been there for 38 years. Shane is on probation and gets offered the job of being Richard's replacement, in order to stay out of jail. Allison is Shane's parole officer and Ed is Richard's long time friend. I said this was a lame comedy because it's not that funny and it has lots of sub plots that go nowhere. It's rated "R" for language and drug use and has a running time of 1 hour & 30 minutes. I wouldn't buy this one on DVD. If you really want to see it, you should wait until it comes to basic cable tv.
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A movie that is fantastic
This is a fantastic movie. It is a great independent film. That is worth seeing more then once. The only reason why I'm not giving it a 10 is the music was not a good fit for this reticular film in my opinion. Ed O Neill was absolutely fantastic in this film.
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Very good movie
This is not a comedy. It is a movie about different cultures being forced together in one place. Very Interesting.
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Might be Richard Jenkins last shift
SYNOPSIS: It's Stanley's (Richard Jenkins) last week at his fast food job and he's stuck training a young rebellious kid to take over his job.
REVIEW: This film strikes me as someone having an excess of money and so they paid big to one well-respected actor and paid big to have it play in theaters. I say this because although I didn't hate the time I spent watching the film, I just sat there and thought of how pointless the film was. There were a couple moments that the film was grasping at a point, but it fell flat. It felt like there was an arc to be made with both of the characters, but nothing came of it. I mean, how much of a change can you make within a week?
If you're looking for something to have in the background that you don't need to pay attention to while you do other things, this is the one. It's a background film. 5/10.
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No real ending!
Warning: Spoilers
The movie is actually a pretty good drama however it did not have an ending even though the credits rolled. Left me very unsatisfied.
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Hard not to compare and that's ok
I'm not an educated critic, just an opinion. The Last Shift by Andrew Cohn with Richard Jenkins brought me to this film. Fun with Dick and Jane & The Kingdom, were both his to steal as a costar. The way Dustin Hoffman disappeared into his characters, RJ easily becomes his role and you believe him. Similarly, his fellow actors were held their own without a flaw. It started to remind me of Spike Lee's "Do the right thing" but lighter with a few typical stereotypes and predictable scenarios. Sometimes there's an unavoidable message in a film and what's wrong with that.
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Jevon's son
Stanley (Richard Jenkins) has been working for 38 years at the same fast food restaurant in a small Michigan town. Her manager Shazz (Da'Vine Joy Randolph) assigns him to train Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie) for the night shift. Jevon's on parole and Evelyn (Allison Tolman) is his parole officer. Dale (Ed O'Neill) is Stanley's friend.
I need to like Jevon more especially in the beginning. Initially, I like Stanley but Jevon annoyed me. There is one defining characteristic difference between the two. Nothing showcases that more than their family responsibility. Stanley is horribly concerned about his mother in the retirement home but Jevon couldn't care less about his son. It would be very helpful if Jevon starts as a caring father. His writer's block would be more compelling. As it stands, I don't care about his difficulties. There is a switch in the middle which is interesting but the consequences would be more compelling if Jevon holds more rooting interest. All in all, these are great actors and these everyday characters are somewhat intriguing. Jevon's bitterness and irresponsibility are hurdles to truly getting involved with these characters.
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Slow but good
A film with many different layers. What is fair? Is the American dream possible to realize for people on the bottom? The movie contains some laughter but I wouldn't call it funny. Still worth watching because of the good acting and clever use of a low budget.
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Dud of a Film
Dud of a film that wastes the talents of Richard Jenkins.
It's a movie that wants to be culturally relevant, focused as it is on the prickly relationship between a white boomer who doesn't think racism is even a thing and the young black man who he's tasked with training for a job at the fast food restaurant where they work. But there have been so many better movies about America's racial divide in the last two or three years that this one gets completely overshadowed. It's the film's own fault, because it's tonally all over the place and meanders around until it just gradually peters out, like a music box winding down.
I saw this because Jenkins is in it, and I'll see anything he's in. Therefore it pains me to say that he's largely the reason the film doesn't work. I don't feel like he had a good read on this character or how to play him. It's like he was asked to shoot for a sort of dead pan screwball comedy that he can't land. I fault the director, because Jenkins has proven that he can do just about anything. See "Kajillionaire," which also came out this past year, as an example of Jenkins' mastery, and in which he brilliantly pulls off the very same vibe I think "The Last Shift" was trying to capture.
Grade: C-
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Jenkins good, the rest is garbage
Story is all over the place and there is no comedy. It's depressing. I'm pretty sure Jenkins was doing someone a favor by being in this. What was the overall point? Cram as many different personalities and perspectives together and hope it creates amazing dialogue? Fail.
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Awesome!
Great acting, deep, makes good points and insightful.
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Portrait Of A Retiring Fry Cook
After becoming a Junior in High School, a man quits and gets a job at a local fast food restaurant in his small home town. He stays at this restaurant for 38 years. He decides to leave town so that he can help his dying mother in Florida. The story is about this mans' last few weeks at the job.
An experienced Hollywood actor plays this man, who stayed at the same job for 38 years. I greatly enjoyed the writing and this portrait of a simple man.
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Slowburning and somewhat tedious portrait of an old diner run by an old man.
The bad: probably only suited for a senior audience, who doesnt mind the slow (sometimes tedious) pace of this movie. Nothing much happens in this movie, painting a portrait of a washed up nightshift employee of an old diner, with very few customers left. Kinda depressing to watch, without any spark or punch...
Not any good? Richard Jenkins is great at his role. The feel of this movie is endearing and kinda sweet. I didnt get irritated, only somewhat bored.
In the end I would not recommend it, because despite the good acting and despite the attention for detail, this movie is a sleeping pill.
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Richard Jenkins steals the show
Warning: Spoilers
It was okay it kept me interested in the two main leads and is worth a watch just for Richard Jenkins performance and character.
********SPOILERS********
The character of Stanley is such a loser and made me hate him and not feel bad for him in the end. He got everything he deserved.
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Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10661180/reviews
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