This review was originally featured in our coverage of the 2023 SXSW Film Festival.
If You Were the Last begins with Jane (played by Zoe Chao) and Adam (played by Anthony Mackie), the film's two main characters, playing chess in a retro-styled living room. As they discuss the plausibility of Matt Damon's 2015 hit movie The Martian, they question whether the U.S. government would truly go to great lengths and invest significant funds to rescue one individual stranded in space. They ponder the potential humanitarian impact of allocating those resources to help the impoverished on Earth. This delightful and captivating conversation soon reveals its larger implications for Jane and Adam, who happen to be astronauts themselves, trapped in space. They are the only surviving members of a self-sufficient space shuttle that, due to an electrical malfunction, has been adrift in the solar system for over 1,000 days.
Contrary to The Martian, Gravity, Apollo 13, and other movies in the space survival genre that focus on adventure, If You Were the Last, the debut film by director Kristian Mercado, explores themes of sex, intimacy, and the concept of love. Despite the challenging circumstances faced by the characters Jane and Adam, it is actually a romantic comedy. Furthermore, it is a well-executed one, relying less on realistic special effects and more on the chemistry between the two actors, who are placed in a confined space.
At the beginning of the movie, Jane and Adam have already been trapped in space for almost three years. Adam wastes no time in proposing the idea of being intimate, pointing out that their doomed situation makes it logical. Jane, although acknowledging the validity of his argument, has reservations. Beyond the fact that they are both married and uncertain about the fate of their spouses, Jane remains determined to fix the ship and return to Earth, despite being involved in daily maintenance tasks.
Mackie and Chao Give Winning Performances in 'If You Were the Last'
Additionally, the romantic aspect poses a significant challenge. Although as scientists, they understand the importance of sex and human intimacy in a person's well-being, Jane worries about the potential emotional consequences if they pursue it. However, as time passes, a strong emotional connection naturally forms between the two astronauts, making the decision to engage in a romantic relationship less of a scientific matter and more about acknowledging their deepening feelings.
Despite its slightly cliché nature, the film works remarkably well, largely due to the superb performances by Chao and Mackie. Chao particularly shines as the true leading character, effortlessly transitioning from endearing to humorous to heart-wrenching and back again. Mackie's role, though more straightforward, proves to be far more impactful than his attempts at action or sci-fi movies (as seen in 2021's Outside the Wire). While he may be the new Captain America, his talent truly shines in portraying laid-back romantic leads. Together, the two actors create a captivating chemistry, quickly captivating the audience and drawing them into their intricately evolving relationship.
The film excels in its stylish approach. The "homemade aesthetic" that permeates throughout the film, even extending to the cardboard spaceship, is a remarkable feat. The control panels of the ship are seemingly sketched with Sharpie markers, while the computer monitors are adorned with smiley faces made from eight-bit graphics. The ship's furniture intentionally appears to be at least fifty years old, and the entertainment, both movies and music, exists solely on small cartridges that are loaded into a console akin to Atari 2600 or NES games. One memorable scene involves Jane and Adam panicking and desperately blowing into one of the cartridges when it stops working, evoking a strong sense of nostalgia for any Gen Xer. Collectively, these elements create an intentional sense of unrealism, aligning well with the film's tone and allowing the audience to concentrate on the central focus - the blossoming romance between Jane and Adam.
Additionally, If You Were the Last is often filled with humor. Angela Bourassa's script delivers occasional bursts of pitch-black comedy that consistently hit the mark. A particularly amusing aspect involves the character Benson, the ship's deceased third crew member who is now a skeleton in a flight suit, frequently engaging in one-sided conversations with Jane and Adam in the living room. As the movie progresses, Benson's backstory is gradually unveiled, resulting in increasingly hilarious moments. However, there are occasional instances where the humor ventures into slight absurdity. For instance, Adam's exaggerated fear of Ridley Scott's Alien, leading to him seeking refuge in Jane's room feels more like a contrivance of the screenwriter to expedite their intimate encounter rather than a genuine response from a mature scientist and astronaut. Another minor flaw occurs when Jane presents a reason why they should refrain from having sex - the potential risk of pregnancy. Adam argues that raising a child alone on the stranded ship might not be so bad, a viewpoint that seems difficult to defend, and then points out that Jane is likely sterile due to radiation exposure, triggering a heated argument. However, both concerns eventually dissipate without receiving further substantial exploration from the film.
End
Despite some minor flaws, If You Were the Last manages to explore the "will they or won't they?" question extensively. It goes even further after resolving this, without giving away any spoilers regarding the movie's final act. The film should be commended for its ability to take unexpected and fulfilling paths, resulting in a predictable yet enjoyable outcome.
Rating: B
The Big Picture
If You Were the Last is a rom-com that explores the themes of sex, intimacy, and the nature of love in a unique setting: space.
The charm of the film is enhanced by its homemade aesthetic, featuring cardboard spaceships and retro furnishings, and this allows the audience to fully appreciate the blossoming romance between the two main characters. The remarkable performances by Zoe Chao and Anthony Mackie, complemented by occasional bursts of dark humor, make If You Were the Last a captivating 90-minute gem that shouldn't be missed.
If You Were the Last is now available to stream on Peacock.
