The Last Journey tells the beautiful and wonderfully uplifting story of Swedish filmmaker Filip Hammar's efforts to help his beloved elderly father find his "spark" again. The acclaimed documentary, also honored as Sweden's entry for Best International Film at the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, addresses aging's hard truths with an endearing lens. It's difficult to watch a parent give up after a lifetime of vibrancy. Especially when they were a treasured source of inspiration, learning, and joy to others. Filip's mission doesn't go nearly as planned, but does accomplish its primary goal with heartwarming conviction.
Filip holds his father's hand as he's strapped in for an MRI. 80-year-old Lars Hammar trembles with fragility. Later, at the family home in Köping, Lars sits dejected in his favorite "Belgian armchair." Filip and Tiina, his fit-as-a-fiddle mother, comment that Lars hasn't left the house or done anything in nearly a decade. A flashback video of Lars' 2008 retirement party after 40 years teaching French at the local high school shows a much different person. Lars sings and dances as he's feted by dear friends, colleagues, and students. It's a far cry from the old man just waiting to die.
A Road Trip to France
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4 /5 The Last Journey (2024) DocumentaryComedyDrama
After 40 years as a beloved French teacher at Köping, Lars Hammar retires, but becomes passive and apathetic to the dismay of his family. Looking to rekindle the spark in his life, his son Filip and his best friend Fredrik load Lars into a car to head on a road trip to France.
Release Date September 13, 2024 Director Fredrik Wikingsson , Filip Hammar Runtime 90 Minutes Cast Filip Hammar , Fredrik Wikingsson Distributor(s) Nordisk Film Pros A warm hug of a movie with beautiful scenery and emotions. A sweet story of a father and a son, and of the real challenges of aging. A moving ending that will bring you to tears after many laughs along the way. Cons Some moments are needlessly staged and emotionally manipulative.
Filip enlists Fredrik Wikingsson, his best friend and production partner, for a crazy idea. He'll buy an old orange Renault, and they can recreate the road trip his family took to France as a teenager. Fredrik dutifully promises to help, but warns Filip that he may be overburdening his father. Lars can barely walk, has trouble hearing, and hasn't expressed any interest in such a strenuous endeavor. Filip shows up at home with the car. Lars, hilariously lying down in his bathrobe, is stunned when Tiina starts to pack his bag.
The Last Journey isn't a fairy tale fantasy where a newly invigorated, raring-to-go Lars springs into action to reclaim his lost youth. Let's just say that reality hits like a freight train from the onset with an unexpected development. The entire trip may be doomed from the start. Filip's enthusiasm and Lars' physical ability aren't commensurate. Even worse, the mind can be just as frail as the body. Whatever fire that had been initially stoked as motivation fizzles at the first bump in the road. Filip must convince his father not to give up and that he'll regret quitting at the first sign of trouble.
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It's important to frame Lars' personality and point of view in this context. He's completely aware of what Filip, Fredrik, and his wife are trying to accomplish. They push him with the best intentions, but pessimism is a steep hill to climb. Lars must want the trip as much as they do. Filip's answer to motivating his father forward is absolutely brilliant. It shows his level of care and willingness to go the extra mile. Lars recognizes Filip's commitment to his happiness and digs deep to break out of his funk. There's a valuable lesson learned by both as the plot kicks into high gear.
The Last Journey's second act could be a postcard for French tourism. The little orange Renault chugging at a blazing 40 mph through majestic mountain scenery is breathtaking. Jaws will drop to the floor when the Hammars and Fredrik arrive at the idyllic Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Lars' countenance changes dramatically as he takes in the landscape, culture, and people that shaped his youth. Optimism surges as father, son, and bestie reach their first goal with bigger objectives ahead.
Lars Gets His Groove Back Close
Filip doesn't sugarcoat the extraordinary lengths taken to facilitate his father. Lars needs help with pretty much every facet of daily activity. He must be cleaned, dressed, and helped to each before stepping out the door. Even getting into the car is a task. Scenes of Filip and Fredrik discussing their duties are profound and honest. It's tough to see the person who raised you from birth be so helpless. Time stalks us all and isn't gentle in the end. Filip gradually mitigates his expectations about what Lars can actually do. He evolves as a son to accept that Lars' limitations will only get worse until the end. This is why the trip had to be taken now before it became too late.
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The Last Journey gets top marks for creative cinematography and editing. Filip and Fredrik, renowned in Sweden for their talk shows, variety programs, and podcasts, skillfully blend nostalgia into the narrative. Lars recorded audio diaries, home movies, and took countless pictures of the family vacations. Those are integrated at poignant moments to increase emotional gravitas and occasional humor. You become a part of the family with their dear memories on display.
If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It
Filip does go overboard by staging certain events and interactions for his father's benefit. These scenes delight the unwitting Lars but feel kind of cheap and contrived. One in particular struck me as a bridge too far despite its success. A natural progression to the story would have been just as impactful to the audience and Lars; instead, the manipulation slightly upsets the honest beauty of the rest. You don't need to recreate great times to have the same feelings in the present. That said, the film's conclusion is an absolute winner. There won't be a dry eye in the theater when the credits roll.
The Last Journey, originally titled Den Sista Resan, has Swedish dialogue with English subtitles. A Nexiko production, it premieres next in the US on January 4, 2025, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival with national distribution to follow.