The reviews for this love story turned apocalyptic fable were never very good. This is a shame. I think the movie is a shocker to those expecting a low budget potboiler with its brain missing. Don't worry. The existential script was written on the go by a young Robert Towne. He also pulls double duty as the odd man out in this fatal love triangle. Filmed in Puerto Rico, an unusual decision for the time, and possibly prompted by Roger Corman's desire to work on vacation. The results he achieved were nothing short of amazing. No one ever accused Mr. Corman of not squeezing every cent out of a film's budget. The story takes an unusual turn when the three lucky survivors return from a diving outing and find a city of the dead. The character we think is going to be the strong hero reveals himself to be a lazy cynic with no plan of action and eyes for the only woman left in paradise. The use of a modern church, the Hilton Hotel and what had to have been an upscale private residence, were a nice contrast to the cobblestone streets of the barrio. An ancient fort by the sea is used to great effect during a chase scene. There is a disturbing shot of a dead girl resting against a curb, her hand raised to shield her eyes. I very much liked the mellow jazz score. And finally, the notion that the world will end in a fiery blast is challenged by simply sucking the oxygen out of air. Different, anyway.
Review of Last Woman on Earth
