The Last Word (2017)
Story overview
The Last Word (2017) is a comedy-drama about Harriet Lauler, a demanding retired businesswoman who wants to control her legacy by writing her own obituary. She hires a young journalist, Anne, to research and write it, leading to an unlikely friendship that transforms both women's perspectives on life, relationships, and self-discovery.
Parent Guide
A character-driven comedy-drama with mature themes about life, legacy, and personal transformation. Contains some strong language and adult references. Most appropriate for mature viewers 13+.
Content breakdown
No violence or physical peril. Some emotional tension in relationships.
Mildly disturbing themes include discussions of death, aging, and regret. No frightening imagery.
Some strong language including 'f**k', 's**t', 'a**hole', and other profanity. Not excessive but present in several scenes.
Brief sexual references and innuendo. No nudity or explicit sexual content.
Social drinking in several scenes (wine, cocktails). No drunkenness or substance abuse depicted.
Emotional themes include loneliness, regret, family conflict, and personal transformation. Some poignant moments that may resonate with mature viewers.
Parent tips
This film deals with themes of aging, regret, and personal growth through a humorous yet poignant lens. It contains some mature language and references to adult situations. Best suited for mature tweens and teens who can appreciate character-driven stories about life lessons and intergenerational relationships.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
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- What did you think about Harriet and Anne becoming friends?
- What was your favorite funny part?
- Why do you think Harriet wanted to write her own obituary?
- How did Harriet and Anne help each other grow?
- What does 'legacy' mean to you?
- How does the film portray aging and regret? What did you think of Harriet's character development?
- Discuss the theme of control vs. acceptance. How does this relate to real life?
- What messages does the film send about friendship across generations?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'The Last Word' explores the human desire for control versus the messy reality of legacy. Harriet Lauler, a retired advertising executive, isn't just writing her obituary—she's attempting to curate her entire existence into a perfect narrative, revealing how we often mistake reputation for meaning. The film's true engine is her gradual, reluctant realization that genuine connection (with Anne, the young journalist, and Brenda, the troubled girl she mentors) matters more than any polished epitaph. It's about how letting others define parts of you—through their messy, honest perspectives—can be the ultimate act of self-possession, not surrender.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The cinematography mirrors Harriet's emotional thaw. Early scenes are composed with rigid symmetry and cool, sterile palettes (whites, grays, beiges) in her minimalist home, reflecting her controlled life. As she opens up, the camera becomes more fluid, with handheld shots during her spontaneous adventures with Brenda. Warm, golden tones seep in during outdoor scenes and her time at the radio station. The visual journey from static perfection to vibrant imperfection visually charts her transformation from a curator of image to a participant in life.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Shirley MacLaine, who plays Harriet, reportedly drew on her own long career and public persona to inform the character's sharpness and vulnerability. The film was shot primarily in and around Los Angeles, with Harriet's sleek modernist house being a key location that required specific scouting to match her character's aesthetic. Director Mark Pellington is known for his music video background, which influenced the film's rhythmic editing and use of music to underscore emotional beats, particularly in the radio station sequences.
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Trailer
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