ReelBob: ‘The Last Deal’ ★★½
By Bob Bloom
The passage of Proposition 64 in California put a lot of marijuana dealers out of business — or at least curtailed their activities.
Vince (Anthony Molinari) was one such casualty. Once a profitable dealer of medical marijuana, the legalization basically ended his business.
He soon finds himself struggling, dealing with state bureaucracy and red tape and he legally tries to keep his business afloat.
The state only allows Vince to be a courier, an unsatisfactory situation for a man with bigger ideas.
His desperation puts him and his enforcer partner Bobby (Mister Fitzgerald) into contact with very dangerous individuals who will help them achieve their goals — but for a steep price.
This is the premise of “The Last Deal,” a low-budget thriller in which the bright sunshine of Los Angeles is contrasted with the dark deeds and personalities with whom Vince must now associate.
He and Bobby borrow a large sum from the Boss (Sala Baker), who gives them a week to pay him back.
When Vince and Bobby’s product is ripped off in a deal that would have gotten them the money they need to pay the Boss, everything begins to go south.
“The Last Deal” is an entertaining little feature with an interesting premise. As more and more states legalize the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, what happens to the people who were selling it illegally?
Through Vince, the movie details the lengths an individual will go to maintain his business and lifestyle.
Molinari’s performance is solid, moving from confidence to anguish as he tries to keep from losing everything — including his life.
The movie’s last act goes off the rails as Vince goes all Rambo to rescue his girlfriend, Tabitha (Jeffri Lauren), taken by the Boss after he discovers Vince hired a hitman to kill him.
A lot of movement keeps the film on a rapid pace as a frenzied Vince travels around the city trying to devise a resolution to his overwhelming problem.
“The Last Deal” is a small movie that tackles an issue that will continue to have an impact as states change their attitudes about the use of marijuana.
I am a founding member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. I review movies, 4K UHD, Blu-rays and DVDs for ReelBob (ReelBob.com), The Film Yap and other print and online publications. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com. You also can follow me on Twitter @ReelBobBloom and on Facebook at ReelBob.com or the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My movie reviews also can be found at Rotten Tomatoes: www.rottentomatoes.com.
THE LAST DEAL
2½ stars out of 4
(R), graphic and bloody violence, language, brief nudity, sexual situations, drug content