Director Alex Parkinson's 2019 documentary Last Breath is adapted into a traditionally narrated film of the same title from Focus Features. Parkinson pens the film's screenplay with Mitchell LaFortune and David Brooks.
Set in 2012, the film centers on Chris Lemons (Finn Cole) a diver who is on his latest assignment with fellow divers Duncan Allock (Woody Harrelson) and Dave Yuasa (Simu Liu) under the tutelage of Captain Andre Jenson (Cliff Curtis). Chris has a wife to be at home who wants him to give up the diving life, but Chris pushes forward.
The script establishes the camaraderie between the men early on and quickly brings to light the central conflict of the film. While on assignment, Chris and his team are lowered from their ship in a diving bell, nearly a hundred meters into the deep, dark sea. Disaster strikes when the computer that keeps the ship in position malfunctions and drifts away. While Dave and Duncan manage to make it back, Chris becomes trapped with only a limited amount of oxygen to keep him alive.
Last Breath then becomes a race to save Chris with everyone doing their part . On the one hand Last Breath could have taken the angle that 2004's Ladder 49 did where A firefighter, injured and trapped in a burning building, has flashbacks of his life as he drifts in and out of consciousness. Thankfully though the creative keeps the film short and doesn't over due the exposition.
Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu dominate the screen with their compelling performances, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. Curtis seems to deliver a more lackluster performance, though this may have been a deliberate choice to fit the narrative. Finn Cole impressively embodies his role, and it was invigorating to see a fresh face take on such an important part. "Last Breath" truly fulfills its promise, unraveling a gripping drama that poignantly explores themes of life and death.
Under the direction of Alex Parkinson, viewers are immersed in the experience, feeling as though we too are gasping for air as Chris drifts into nothingness. The depiction of this segment of the true story is exceptionally well-executed, seamlessly intertwined with actual footage from the small robotic submarine used by the diving team. However I do think the film fails to rise above made for TV tropes and other audiences may feel the same.
Nevertheless though, with its short run time and solid performances from the cast, "Last Breath" is a harmless one time.
Final Grade : B-
"Last Breath" opens in theaters tomorrow.
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