Last Night

No, I don’t mean Saturday, I mean the Indie Canadian flick called Last Night. It’s pretty obscure, and several years old, and – like many Canadian films - it’s a bit dark and depressing, but compellingly written.

At the start of the film we’re made to understand the world is about to end, and that this is everyone’s Last Night. While the movie is about a handful of people and how they’re spending their last night on earth, we’re never told what’s causing this destruction. It’s clearly been known for a little while, since most of the city has been abandoned as people flee to other places – presumably wherever they want to spend their last days, or perhaps thousands of them thought they could find a safe place.

It’s clear that the entire world is ending, at midnight, and everyone’s aware – but what I love about the film is that we, the viewer, never understand why. It’s not important why, it’s only important to know that all life on Earth comes to an end, and this is everyone’s Last Night.

Different characters deal with it differently, of course. Many are gathering in a park to watch “it” happen, while others are huddled at home surrounded by family and friends. One guy is working on his quest to have sex in every possible manner before he dies, while another is desperately trying to get home to die beside her husband.

One man, the previously mentioned woman’s husband, has left work and is home waiting for his wife. He only stayed at work because he runs the power company, and they vowed to keep the lights on for everyone, up to their last moment. This man and his wife planned to have a special last dinner, and die in each other’s arms. He doesn’t realize his wife is having serious trouble getting home, so he’s there waiting – his wife’s story is more pivotal to the movie, but I found this man’s short entry most compelling.

You see, while he’s waiting, and the clock is nearing 11:00, there’s rioting outside. He opens his door to suddenly face a young man with a rifle. An argument ensues, and the young man blows him away.

Keep in mind the entire world is ending at midnight. Everyone is going to die. The planet Earth will Cease To Be, and this man has just been murdered.

He’s known midnight would be his end, along with everyone else, and now he’s been killed – senselessly. His final hour stolen from him. It struck me as such a waste, and such a horrible thing to happen. Like having a doctor tell you it’s cancer, and you have three weeks left, then you’re leaving the office to go tell your family and make final preparations, and you’re run over by a bus on the way to the car.

The film did end with the world ending – we never found out what it was, or why it happened, but the final scene is a flash of white light, then the credits roll. His wife, unable to reach him, tried to commit suicide with another man, but they ended up dying in an embrace. The sexual deviant died in climax, and the entire planet vanished.

Of that whole movie, the most tragic part for me was the man who was murdered in that last hour. It left me with such an empty feeling, such a waste of hope and life. Much the same way I’ll feel about my competitors when November ends.

You’ll all have struggled so mightily – penned so many words, downed so much caffeine, and lost so much sleep – and it will all be for naught. In that last hour, when you know the First Great Tea Debacle is about to end for all involved, when you have that bottle of celebratory wine ready to pop open at midnight . . . That’s when it will happen. You’ll check your word count and realize you’re going to fall short. It was all for nothing – the entire month of grueling, torturous work. Such a waste.

You’ll cry, you’ll rage in denial, and your spouse will find you curled in the fetal position, fingers raw, mumbling incoherently about plots, verbs and tea.

Wouldn’t you rather go out with dignity, grace and style? November is the start of the Holidays, when your attention should be focused on family, the coming Winter, and a winding down of those Summer-time ambitions.

November 30^th is your Last Night. Why don’t you put down that pen, set the computer aside, and bake some cookies. Spend that Last Night with your family, remembering the good times, and what life was all about. Write up your Will, and let your loved ones know what your final wishes are.

I shall raise a tea cup in your honor, and keep your memories alive.