by Henry Pham

This film is presented in Italian with English subtitles. The Last One for the Road serves as a tribute to Veneto, Italy, blending slice-of-life, road movie, and coming-of-age elements. The story follows Carlobianchi (Sergio Romano) and Doriano (Pierpaolo Capovilla), two uninhibited, cash-strapped petty criminals whose lives revolve around their next drink. As they set out to surprise their old friend Genio (Andrea Pennacchi) at the airport, they befriend Giulio (Filippo Scotti), a reserved architecture student from college. What begins as a brief trip becomes an extended journey, marked by the streets of Veneto and misadventures that briefly touch on, but do not dwell on, the characters’ social realities.

Under Francesco Sossai’s direction, the film thoughtfully explores evolving relationships, focusing on characters at pivotal moments in their lives. The journey structure mirrors their internal struggles, while the Veneto setting is both striking and purposeful, revealing the past and confronting avoided truths. While the direction and script are polished, atmospheric, and surreal, Massimiliano Kuveiller’s cinematography stands out, prioritizing mood and emotion through careful framing and lighting, which enhances nostalgia, humanism, and emotional distance.

Krano’s music effectively reinforces the film’s bittersweet tone. The cast, including Filippo Scotti (Netflix’s The Hand of God), Sergio Romano, Pierpaolo Capovilla, Roberto Citran, Andrea Pennacchi, and Simone Bergamasco, also delivers strong performances. And the drinking and alcohol scenes also fit the tone of the characters’ reflection (and the entire plot as a whole). Though some scenes contain strong language that is used by Italian actors. However, due to the depressing images and themes included in the film, some viewers may find it very difficult to watch, especially for American audiences.

With 100 minutes of fun-filled Veneto adventures, The Last One for the Road is an effective, rich drama film that explores friendship, regret, and one’s own past. It is very powerful to watch as we can understand the characters’ emotions and well-being, with alcohol serving as their salvation. As far as American road-trip movies (mostly comedies) go, we get warmth and heart, with a side of humor. For this, it unfolds gently, allowing its emotional power to emerge through conversation, memory, and moments of silence. It may not reach perfection for Western audiences, but this is a fever dream for true Italian audiences. With a subtle Italian acting cast, Francesco Sossai brings a delightful road movie through the streets of Veneto inThe Last One for the Road.

GRADE: B