Netflix Summary:
When the teenage daughter of a reclusive family of artists falls in love with an unusual boy at school, she awakens mysterious powers and discovers ancient family secrets that will change her life forever.
FYA Summary:
Rhea has spent her whole life on the outside looking in, thanks to the reclusive life her artsy, Mother Earth-loving family leads. Most of her is OK with the lifestyle, and the stigma she finds attached to herself because of it, but part just wants to be a typical teenager. When she makes a huge discovery about herself, her family, and the roles they all might play in the future of the world, Rhea (rightfully) is a little overwhelmed and makes some questionable choices on her way to understanding.
Familiar Faces:
Zosia Mamet as Rhea Carver
Rhea is a sweet, genuine young woman who’s not afraid of being labeled strange, but at the same time just wants to be normal. She’s the kind of odd teenager who makes dresses out of plastic bags and dreams of going to art school. She reminds me a lot of my best friend in high school, and therefore I adore her. She goes through a bit of a rebellion in the film, but it’s a typical teenage thing. Zosia plays her delightfully.
Olympia Dukakis as Rosmarie Carver
Rosmarie is a total sasspot of a grandmother/family matriarch. Olympia is perfect in the role. She’s also got fantastic hair.
Aidan Quinn as John
John’s an artist-type (i.e., kind of a nutter), but he’s a wonderful father. At one point, Rhea complains about her status as a freak, and Aiden tells her that since both he and her mother are freaks, she’s a “super freak.” He kisses her on the head and then tells her “Get used to it. Fly that freak flag!” I love Aiden in this type of role.
Virginia Madsen as Abigail Carver
I’ve just finished up watching Witches of East End, in which—SPOILER ALERT—Virginia plays an evil witch, so it’s funny to see her in a good, hippie/witchy type role. Also, her daughter’s name is Rhea, which, hilariously, is pronounced like Freya minus the R.
Joshua Bowman as Taylor
Taylor is a typical popular high school guy. Joshua doesn’t say much in the role, but he looks pretty in it.
Sam Underwood as Oliver Sands
Sam, who is an attractive gent, has some horrible hair in this role. His actions are a little cringeworthy, but he’s earnest and sweet. I’ve never seen him in anything else that I can remember, but I enjoy his persistency.
Nat Wolff as Simon
Simon is a total geek—a good thing, in my mind—which I don’t think is a stretch for Nat. (I’ve only ever seen him in short bits of The Naked Brothers Band. I’m looking forward to seeing him in The Fault in Our Stars, though.)
Couch-Sharing Capability: Low
Unless the people you’re with will also enjoy cheesy, magical movies (with a heavy emphasis on the horrible messes mankind wreaks upon the world), you might want to watch this one alone.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Low
I think too much alcohol might make this movie tip over from being sweet to being cloying. It’s a fine line.
Use of Your Netflix Subscription: OK
The first two thirds of The Last Keepers were very different than the last two thirds. I enjoyed it as a whole, but I found myself confused by the sharp turn it took from ABC Family Movie of the Week to PSA on the dangers of being an irresponsible teenager. And then, at the very end, the movie goes back into movie of the week territory with a touch of WTF. It’s cute, but nothing you must add to your queue ASAP.
