Last Flag Flying Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three old war buddies embark on a road trip with a dead body, proving that friendship is just an excuse to avoid therapy and potentially commit light larceny.

🍿 Last Flag Flying: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Reunion After Three Decades

In 2003, Larry “Doc” Shepherd, a former Navy Corpsman, seeks out two men he served with in Vietnam: Sal Nealon, now a bar owner, and Richard Mueller, who has become a reverend. Doc informs them of the tragic death of his son, a Marine killed in the Iraq War, and asks for their help to bury him.

A Road Trip with Grief and Memories

The three men embark on a road trip to transport Doc’s son’s body back home. Along the way, they confront shared memories of Vietnam, old wounds, and the realities of war. Their journey is marked by both somber reflection and moments of unexpected humor, as they navigate the complexities of grief and friendship.

Uncovering the Truth

As the journey progresses, the trio learns more about the circumstances surrounding Doc’s son’s death, discovering that the official narrative may not be the complete truth. This revelation leads to further questioning of the purpose and cost of war, and reinforces the bond between the three veterans.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Larry ‘Doc’ Shepherd (Steve Carell): A former Navy Corpsman, grieving the loss of his son in the Iraq War, seeks solace and support from his Vietnam War buddies.
• Sal Nealon (Bryan Cranston): A cynical and irreverent former Marine and bar owner, who helps Doc navigate the difficult journey of burying his son.
• Reverend Richard Mueller (Laurence Fishburne): A former Marine turned Reverend, grappling with his past while offering support to his grieving friend, Doc.
• Washington (J. Quinton Johnson): A young Marine and close friend of Doc’s deceased son, accompanies the older veterans on their journey, providing a perspective on the current war.
• Colonel Wilits (Yul Vazquez): A Marine Colonel representing the military bureaucracy, whose interactions with Doc and his friends highlight the impersonal nature of war.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Larry ‘Doc’ Shepherd: “I’m not going to bury a marine. I’m just going to bury my son.” – Doc says this when deciding to forgo the traditional military burial, emphasizing his personal connection to his son.
• Sal Nealon: “We gotta get you laid.” – Sal says this to Doc as a way to help him cope with his grief, reflecting his irreverent and insensitive nature.
• Reverend Richard Mueller: “Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just be there.” – Mueller says this, highlighting the importance of friendship and support during difficult times.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10.5M
• Domestic Gross: $965,481
• Worldwide Gross: $1,872,950

💥 Last Flag Flying Reviews

Personal Review

I really connected with this movie because it felt so real. The characters were flawed, funny, and relatable, which made it easy to invest in their journey. The scene where they confront the Colonel was powerful, highlighting the complexities of war and its impact on individuals. I appreciated how the film balanced humor and heartbreak, leaving me with a lot to think about long after the credits rolled. I found myself thinking about my own friendships and appreciating the bonds we share.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Richard Linklater’s films.”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas.”
  • “Those who appreciate stories about veterans and the impact of war.”
  • “Fans of Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell, and Laurence Fishburne.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Discussion of war and death”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Some drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Linklater creates a poignant portrait of male friendship against the backdrop of war’s enduring shadow. While the pacing meanders at times, the performances are universally strong, especially Cranston’s comedic turn, which provides levity amidst the grief.
• IndieWire: “Last Flag Flying is a well-acted, character-driven drama that explores themes of loss, loyalty, and the disillusionment of war. It doesn’t offer easy answers, instead, it presents a nuanced and affecting portrayal of three men grappling with their past and present.
• N/A: “This film seems to suffer from an identity crisis. It attempts to tackle many underrepresented topics pertaining to the effect war has on veterans and their families, but it stretched itself too thin and each plot line ended up being a weak caricature of what they were trying to accomplish.

Audience Reactions

Cranston’s performance was hilarious and kept me laughing throughout the movie.: Viewers consistently praised the chemistry between the three leads and the film’s blend of humor and drama.

Viewers consistently praised the chemistry between the three leads and the film’s blend of humor and drama.: I related to this very well. I won’t give any spoilers here but it touched home for me. A movie worth seeing.

Overall Consensus: Last Flag Flying is a poignant and humorous exploration of friendship and the long-lasting effects of war, buoyed by strong performances from its cast.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Richard Linklater co-wrote the screenplay with Darryl Ponicsan, who also wrote the novel the film is based on, which is a sequel to his 1970 novel ‘The Last Detail’.”
• “Steve Carell consulted with his father, a WWII veteran, to prepare for his role.”
• “The movie explores themes of grief, friendship, and the impact of war on veterans and their families.”

🖥️ How to Watch Last Flag Flying?

Last Flag Flying is available to rent or buy on various platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Last Flag Flying, you might like these similar films:

• The Last Detail (1973): Also based on a Darryl Ponicsan novel, it shares a similar road trip narrative with military themes and dark humor.
• Boyhood (2014): Directed by Richard Linklater, it showcases his signature naturalistic style and character-driven storytelling.
• The Deer Hunter (1978): Explores the profound impact of the Vietnam War on a group of close-knit friends from a Pennsylvania steel mill town

🛒 Last Flag Flying Related Products

• Last Flag Flying (Blu-ray): Own the poignant dramedy on Blu-ray, featuring behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast and crew. A must-have for collectors and fans of the film.
• Darryl Ponicsan – Last Flag Flying (Novel): Read the original novel by Darryl Ponicsan that inspired the movie. Experience the story in its full literary form, with added depth and details not found in the film adaptation.
• Vietnam War Era US Military Toy Soldier Action Figures – Set of 3: High Quality, authentic looking US Military Figures. Made of durable PVC Plastic. Great as Military decorations or to play with.
• Vintage US Army Shirt, Vietnam War Era Reproduction: Vintage reproduction US Army Shirt, Vietnam War Era

🎧 Soundtrack

Last Flag Flying features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Slow Walk” – performed by Sil Austin
• “Old Man” – performed by Neil Young
• “Without Me” – performed by Eminem

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Steve Carrell Shuts Down Idea of ‘The Office’ Reboot, But Wants to Throw a Reunion Party (Exclusi…

Ever wonder what Steve Carrell thinks about revisiting ‘The Office’? He talks about that and ‘Last Flag Flying’ in this interview – it’s interesting to hear his perspective!

This movie is fantastic and heart rendering. Go watch “Last flag flying” #ytshort #foryou #fypシ゚vira

Looking for a heartfelt movie recommendation? This short review totally convinced me to watch ‘Last Flag Flying’ – the creator’s enthusiasm is contagious!

✨ Rate