Review of 4:44 Last Day on Earth (2012) by Maksim B — 10 Jan 2013

A sort of a indie-hipster-B-movie, 4:44 Last Day on Earth is a pretentious, unappealing and boring mixture of drama and science fiction. Focused on a couple which is to meet the end of the world, this art house attempt ultimately fails to maintain the interest of the audience, to meet initial expectations or to satisfy the fans of indie movies.

4:44 Last Day on Earth describes the last day of the world, through the eyes of a dysfunctional indie-hipster couple. A mid-aged divorced man and his young artist girlfriend face what seems to a probable end of the world. After a very promising and somehow brutal beginning, in which the announcement of the upcoming end of the world is made, the movie stumbles in its own attempts to be "indie", to be "different". With a following overlong loving scene between Willem Dafoe and Shanyn Leigh, the audience is introduced to what is going to happen in the following one hour.

Long scene of love-making are followed by moments of scandals,painting,music and carelessness. As if the world is not coming to an end. Director Abel Ferrara fails to build up any tension. Her depiction of New York a day before the end is bizarre as the sense of panic of despair is nowhere to be felt. In addition to this, there are so many questions unexplained, such as how could internet communication be possible (or with such a good quality), that an attentive viewer would be at least annoyed.

Towards the final part of the movie, the tension is increased as the end of the world approaches. Yet, once again, director Abel Ferrara does not manage to develop this and chooses for a completely downbeat and disappointing ending. The only positive thing in the whole movie is the remarkable performance of Willem Dafoe. For second time this year, after The Hunter, he has managed to deliver a performance that literary hold the whole movie from falling apart.

After approaching 4:44 Last Day on Earth with the expectations of seeing a dramatic sci-fi art house movie, it is hard to hide the disappointment from this delivery. Lost, unfocused and way over the top, this is probably the second worst ending of the world, after Skyline (2010).