Story
The Last Song is about Ronnie (Miley Cyrus), a rebellious teenager reacting negatively to her parents’ divorce. The movie begins with Ronnie’s mother (Kelly Preston) sending Ronnie and her brother, Jonah (Bobby Coleman), to spend the summer break with their father, Steve (Greg Kinnear). This upsets Ronnie, who blames her father for deserting her and her brother. Since her parents’ divorce, Ronnie has tried hard to hurt her father. For example, she has given up on her musical talent, a talent taught and nurtured by her father. She is also making life choices that are destined to keep her miserable.
Throughout the summer break, Ronnie manages to find herself a distraction from her family woes in Will (Liam Hemsworth). He’s a good-looking local who breaks through Ronnie’s angry exterior. He discovers Ronnie’s passionate and carefree side, which she has forgotten. Ronnie’s newfound happiness is shaken when she discovers that her father is extremely ill. This summer is to be the last one that she can share with him.
Themes
Family breakdown; serious illness and parental death; rebellious acts including shoplifting and arson; relationship violence
Violence
This movie contains some violence. For example:
Sexual references
This movie contains some sexual references. For example, while drunk, Marcus grabs at Blaze and makes a suggestive comment to Ronnie.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie contains some use of substances. For example:
- Ronnie is with a group of teenagers under the pier at the beach. All except Ronnie are drinking or obviously drunk. Two are passed out on the beach. Another two are lying on the beach together kissing.
- Steve drinks a glass of wine with dinner.
- Will’s parents drink wine at dinner.
- Wine and champagne are served at a wedding.
- Marcus turns up at the wedding drunk and aggressive.
Nudity and sexual activity
This movie contains some nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Will and Ronnie often kiss passionately.
- Marcus makes forceful sexual moves on Ronnie.
- Two teenagers are seen lie on the beach together, kissing in a sexual way.
- Teenage boys and girls are seen in skimpy clothes as they play volleyball. The boys have their shirts off, and the girls are wearing bikinis.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Ford, Crocs, Mobil and Volvo.
Coarse language
This movie contains some mild coarse language.
Ideas to discuss with your children
The Last Song is a movie about young romance, with a strong message about the power of forgiveness and family connection.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include honesty, forgiveness, family commitment and love.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as:
- the importance of working through challenges in relationships, and being honest and forgiving
- the importance of working through reactions to divorce
- domestic violence, specifically the relationship between Marcus and Blaze
- shoplifting
- dishonesty, specifically the two teenage boys not confessing to arson.