Review of The Last Movie Star

I had a frightening experience this year . I had a close brush with death. Feeling weak and lethargic. My breathing became labored. What I was experiencing pneumonia. Luckily I made it to the hospital in time and was administered the adrenaline treatments to restore my breathing. I figured I would be released and sent home to recover but because of my age I was kept in the hospital with double IV's in each arm. In my mind I thought I was Forty but in reality I was in my sixties. Even my grown children were worried about my vulnerability. The timing was on my side as I was eventually released two weeks before a major pandemic which would rip the nation as well as the world in the name of Covid-19. Speaking of vulnerability, I caught an interesting retrospect of an old movie icon Burt Reynolds in The Last Movie Star. Burt plays a version of himself as the fictitious Vic Edwards. Edwards was a 1970's heartthrob and action hero in this story and now is reduced to an aged, decrepit elderly pill popping bachelor. Vic is told by his Veterinarian that his dog has to be put down. Alone at the supermarket Vic notices a pretty woman passing him by without even a glance. The former movie star realizes his best years are gone.. Vic meets with his friend Sonny (Chevy Chase) for coffee as the two elders talk about a mutual friend who died. Vic received an invitation to attend the Nashville Film Festival where he will be honored with first class accommodations . Vic is skeptical about going but Sonny urges him to attend and honor his loyal fans. The first class treatment /accommodations. Vic finds himself in coach (middle seat) and then arriving at the airport expecting a stretch limousine, but instead a broken down Chevy with the driver named Lil (Ariel Winter). Lil, a cheeky tattooed nose ringed millennial dressed in black vest and black shorts. Lil is irate on her cell phone yelling at her aloof boyfriend Bjorn (Justin Street). Vic is waiting to get in her car but Lil has no interest in the guest of honor. Lil continues to yell and insult her boyfriend as her driving is much to desired. The first class accommodations are off the interstate highway in the way of an Econo Lodge complete with kitchen, a microwave. No sooner as our complaining Lil on the phone with her nerdy Brother Doug (Clark Duke) who put this event together. Doug wants to know how are star is doing? All Lil wants to do is dump our celebrity off at the premiere. Vic is appalled to find that the grand opening is in a Bar put together by Nerdy wannabees fresh out of college. Embarrassed and reluctant Vic find solace in going to the bar to get juiced. As your watching your wondering how much worse this story gets for Vic? Our tale takes a different turn here as Lil eventually takes Vic to the Airport leaving the sub-standard festival behind. Vic notices an exit sign for Knoxville and makes Lil take him there. The rest are flashbacks and surprises which enhance this tribute to a great celebrity of years past but goes ever deeper into the character of Vic Edwards. Vic fondly tells about his life before Hollywood and fame. Visiting his childhood home and gridiron where he played College ball. His real motivation was to visit a loved one. His first wife Claudia (Kathleen Nolan). The real true love of his life despite 4 failed Hollywood marriages. You see the relationship blossom between Lil and Vic as the movie flows along. You also learn about each other's wants and needs . Fatherly advice from the elder Vic as he inspires Lil to move into a different direction through conversation on their car rides. Special effects gets a mention here as Vic Edwards has dreams and flashback scenes which put the older Vic with the younger Vic in classic movie scenes of his past works. The cinematography showcasing the majestic Tennessee River and the sights of Knoxville in all it's grandeur makes you want to visit the Volunteer State. I know there are some that don't like our star but why wouldn't you be jealous about a man who was good looking, athletic dated/married some of Hollywood's finest lovelies. That never deterred me from liking Burt Reynolds. Burt was different. In his heyday, he had this masculine charm coupled with a goofball sense of humor and he never really took himself seriously. Just a good old boy from Florida who made the most of an illustrious career. As for the Sugarbabe reference. Kathleen Nolan was familiar to fans of the TV show called The Real McCoy's. Kathleen played the matriarch of the family as her husband referred to her as Sugarbabe.