| The Last Year | 
 enlarge | Director: Jeff London
Actors: Ron Petronicolos, Mike Dolan, Patrick Orion Hoesterey, Merrick Mcmahon, Elizabeth Flesh
Studio: WOLFE VIDEO
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $9.57
You Save: $5.38 (36%)
New (12) Used (6) from $9.57
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 41317
Format: Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Special Edition, Widescreen
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 108
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WOL4286D
UPC: 827912040579
EAN: 0827912040579
ASIN: B000F8O38M
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
Release Date: June 10, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
THE LAST YEAR explores the challenges of coming out while coming of age in a hostile religious environment. Paul (Ron Petronicolos) is a gay student at a conservative Bible college struggling to reconcile his homosexual identity with his religious convictions. When he strikes up a relationship with new student Alex (Mike Dolan) Paul faces the very un-Christian hatred of his fellow students and possible expulsion from the school's closeted Dean. Based on a true story THE LAST YEAR fashions a thoughtful examination of the clash between spirituality and sexuality.System Requirements:Running Time 108 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 827912040579 Manufacturer No: WOL4286D
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Enjoyable little movie March 27, 2008
I enjoyed this one. It's not slick Hollywood stuff, but it's believable, and the acting is tolerably good. The hypocrisy of the school principal rings true.
 An Excellent Film About Prejudice and Justice November 24, 2007
What a lovely discovery! This bittersweet film by Jeff London examines the lives of three young gay men at various stages of being out, attending a 'Christian' college. As I discovered later, the story is based on the actual experience of the screenwriter.
Hector (Merrick McMahon) has been outed, is being persecuted by the Dean and his jock henchmen, and shunned by classmates. Alex (gentle and winning Mike Dolan) is new at the school, though a senior, because his father hopes the religious environment will cure him of 'a certain young man' from home. Beautiful and troubled Paul (played perfectly by Ron Petronicolos) is deep in the closet after being compromised in a library restroom over the summer. He hides his homosexuality at first, but soon tells his room-mate and best friend Robby (Patrick Hoesterey). Robby is straight, and unpleasantly surprised, but quickly overcomes his reservations because of his love for Paul.
The four boys become a little family and try to protect each other from the violence, intolerance, hate, and hypocrisy that surrounds them. Each character is lovingly drawn, and they all change in remarkable ways. Alex falls in love with Paul and leads him towards the light of self-realization and personal commitment. Hector, unfortunately, is not so lucky. They are all watched over by St. Jude, who appears briefly in one of the dearest moments in the film.
There are flaws and stretches of credulity in the story, but the overwhelming sincerity and heartfelt nature of the writing and acting negate such quibbles. It's somewhat rough around the edges, since it was made on a low budget, but its theme and story is sincere and universal. The struggle for justice against prejudice, by oppressed minorities, is as eternal as all human aspiration.
Some hits; some misses April 16, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I enjoyed Regarding Billy enough to be interested in this movie just because it was directed (and written, I think) by Jeff London, a movie-maker who makes sweet, innocent movies about Average Gay Joe's falling in love and having diffiulties and successes unique to gay folks.
This movie is no exception, and, like his other movies, is stunningly successful at times and embarrassingly amateur at other times.
I like to end on a good note, so let's start with the "bad". There is too much going on in this overlong movie and many unnecessary and underdeveloped characters which muddy up the central story and theme. Some of the peripheral actors are really bad. Some of the dialog is really forced. (Some of it actually made me squirm.)
Now the good. The principal young men in this film are great. Ron Petronicolos and Mike Dolan are absolutely mesmerizing together and it's a joy to see their subtle and somewhat unexpected romance blossom. It's the love story part of this film that's the great part, and I can watch it over and over. True to Jeff London, it's not smarmy and tacky, but wonderful and refreshing.
I'd love to give this film more stars, but it wouldn't be true. You have to take the good with the bad here, and it's certainly worth your time and attention. If you like this film, you'll love Regarding Billy which is a love story without a lot of distracting side stories, and features two similarly talented and refreshing characters and actors.
This film is "worth it" just for the scene when Dolan tells Petronicolos (clearly smitten with each other) that he wishes he didn't make him so nervous (and there can be no turning back.) Enjoy.
 good story, but very bad acting April 8, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
don't waist your money on this one. this move has good story behind the very bad acting.
Some good acting but on the whole a bad film April 27, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Like others I do what I can to support and promote independent films. This film tells an important story (citing the real Bible to debunk and confront homophobes and others distorting the teachings of Jesus), but it is not a good film (slow, stilted dialogue, lots of pregnant pauses and searching for lines, some bad acting, poor direction, poor editing, predictable story). It was a very long film to endure. However, Ron Petronicolos and Craig Staswick are particularly good so for them I give it one star. Mike Dolan is also good. I am sure they will go on to bigger and better things.
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