Cisco (Willem Dafoe) and Skye (Shanyn Leigh) are two lovers experiencing life on the last day of the planet Earth before the ozone layer totally disappears and everyone is killed by a solar flare at 4:44 in the morning. They seclude themselves in a Manhattan high-rise apartment. Cisco says goodbye to his friends while Skye finishes one last painting. They make love and watch TV while Cisco goes over his regrets in his life.

 

Before you move forward, I talk about the ending which is a forgone conclusion. Stop reading if you don't want to know about the end of the movie.

 

 

 

4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH leans more towards the territory of so-so films like NEW ROSE HOTEL. The film doesn't reach greatness of Abel Ferrara classics like BAD LIEUTEANT, MS. 45, THE ADDICTION, and KING OF NEW YORK. It is OK for a one time viewing if you're into metaphysical thinking, but many people will probably be turned off with the slow pacing as everyone is told the world will end and most people accept that fact. We see no chaos in New York City as it seems life just goes on to the end. The climax is a cool piece of filmmaking as a big aurora descends upon Earth and the planet feels the effects of the solar flare. Other than that, you would be better off seeing a better crafted end-of-the-world film like MELANCHOLIA by Lars Von Trier.

 

It is a shame that one has to wait through a slow paced film to get to the best suspense at the end. You never get a sense whether the end of the world is in doubt. It is taken for granted and I wish Ferrara planted doubt instead of some people who think it won't end in passing before focusing on the people who know life will end on Earth. I wish Ferrara amped the suspense and built tension through the film instead of this metaphysical meditation on life and the end of life. Willem Dafoe and Shanyn Leigh are great in their performances in this film, but however you will get more out of Dafoe as an actor and in a film from the recently released THE HUNTER.

 

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The only extra is the theatrical trailer (besides the previews that play before the main menu). I wish we had a featurette or an audio commentary that has Ferrara describe why he made the movie.

 

FINAL ANALYSIS: 4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH is not the worst film from Abel Ferrara, but it isn't his best either. Many people would be better off seeing MELANCHOLIA or an Andrei Tarkovsky film instead of a film that is just good for a one time rainy day rental.

 

this DVD review is (c)7-18-2012 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com