Review

Romance expands Cyrus’ career

By Natalie Conrad

April 11, 2010

Hannah Montana gone punk pianist brat would be one way to sum up “The Last Song,” or at least Miley Cyrus’ character in the film. I spent a good part of the film in either disbelief of Hannah Montana being a punk or a general dislike of her snotty character. Fortunately, it eventually gets better.

This is Cyrus’ first leading big screen role outside of the popular Hannah Montana franchise, and it shows. Like any Nicholas Sparks film, it gives the viewer exactly what they’re expecting: a cheesy romance and some sad sobbing moments. At first it’s almost too hard to believe Cyrus as a troubled teen with a nose ring, but as the film went on, I begin to accept her as the character. The stigma of her role of Ronnie, a rebellious teen, stems from the general viewers’ inability to separate her from her much loved pop star role and does not necessarily discredit her acting abilities.

I really didn’t care for the love story or the love interest played by Cyrus’ real life beau Liam Hemsworth, but I liked the way her character opens up to her family as her feelings for him grow. Hemsworth’s character was so disgustingly predictable that I found myself hoping that she didn’t end up with him in the end. It also doesn’t give much support to either of the actors acting abilities, as they’re dating in real life.

The scenery of the film is gorgeous, as it takes place on the Georgia Coast, where Ronnie’s father has a house located right on the beach. Greg Kinnear is delightful as always, as Ronnie’s estranged father, whom her brother and her are forced to stay with for the summer. Her little brother was extremely adorable and one of my favorite characters in the film, well played by young actor Bobby Coleman.

I hate to admit it, but Cyrus’ character grew on me after a while. As the film went on, her character developed and became more likable, and it probably helped that as the film went on it became easier to separate her from Hannah Montana. Once the movie got rolling it really wasn’t nearly as awful as I had initially expected it to be.

This isn’t really a film for little fans of Hannah Montana. I don’t think the under-12 audience would really get this movie or be able to grasp their favorite pop star in a more dark and serious role. This movie was reasonably enjoyable and unique to some extent, although it took many familiar things and threw them together. This film certainly isn’t a mustsee by any means, and I would almost encourage waiting for it to come out on DVD. But if you can find a cheap matinee and enjoy Nicholas Sparks, then it’s worth it. If nothing else, this movie will give you a newfound respect for Miley Cyrus for stepping away from the bubbly pop star character that has granted her so much success.

Natalie Conrad is a junior journalism and marketing communications major and French minor. She enjoys running,reading, writing, playing guitar, and traveling.