Last Night in Rozzie is a quiet story that visits friendship and closure. Ronald Russo (Neil Brown Jr.) goes to the hospital to visit a dying friend. Joey Donovan (Jeremy Sisto) has liver cancer and wants to see his son J.J. (James de Filippi) who he last saw when he was an infant. Of course, this is not as simple as it sounds and tests the bonds between the two. But why would Joey want the help of someone he was not spoken with in years?
The story is about more than just Joey’s request. Between Ronnie and Joey catching up (they have not spoken since they were younger) Last Night in Rozzie flashes back to their days when they played baseball together. These moments from the past also show how far back Ronnie’s infatuation with Pattie Barry (Nicky Whelan) goes. This sets up one of the film’s main conflicts.
The character work is important in Last Night in Rozzie. Along with the relationships being revisited, there is a love triangle built into the plot. It is a little generic and forced, but the acting makes it easy to accept. There is a natural chemistry between them all that makes the film easy to watch. This is also due the atmosphere created by the writing. The world has an authentic feel that seems to exist outside of the movie.
There are some odd choices in the film. A meeting between Ronnie and his mother is awkward and out of place. Last Night in Rozzie also brings a lot to the table for its relatively short run time. It asks audiences to take in a lot before a twist leading into the finale. The script is at its best as it heads into its final moments. The climax is well written and the ending will leave viewers satisfied.
Last Night in Rozzie comes to theaters and VOD September 17
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