The Last Deal (2023) Film Review

Jonathan Salemi‘s The last deal he has a very simple argument for the plot. In fact, throughout the film, this is held up as the basis of a moral compass that is frankly naive and basic. Illegal drugs? Bad. Legal drugs? Meh, but an entire character’s arc can be told with this ambiguous consideration. Salemi is confident in the power of his film, even if it is not strong enough to talk about his film for some time.
In it, a drug dealer meets the end of his gig. Cannabis has become legal in California, so you have to make do with what you have. Its operation does not remain the same, and the obvious and safe answer is out of the question. The last hit seems to be the only way out.
But Vince is losing control. About everything. From his romantic relationship to his business dealings, Vince is thrown into chaos as he tries to prepare for the operation that promises a way out. What seems like a betrayal turns out to be a good opportunity to recall his past, in which there is a bit of unfinished business.
It’s a mere memory of Vince’s unlucky moments. This is the main story The last deal, a film that sits confidently within the comfort zone of story elements typical of crime fiction that never aims to experiment with twists. It is a predictable film, but risks are also lacking in the presentation and resolution of conflicts.
However, this is exactly what it should be. A character study about the morality of a situation we don’t ask much about because it’s uncomfortable. Personally, I don’t think the war on drugs is going to tip either side because of legalization. The film tries to add this story to that debate, and it does so very conveniently, with a final message that feels like a redundant comment on the cannabis industry: If you do things right, maybe there will be redemption.
Does Vince deserve it? Sure. You get a lot of crap when you try to leave and when you try to cope. If we see The last deal is a good time to pay for your sins, then this is a solid collection of events where a character is subjected to terrible things just because they thought the easy way out. At least that’s what he tells us at the end, when he’s done everything and is ready to start over.
By the way, Anthony Molinari? A very good performance from a relatively unknown actor who can deliver solidly if given a good script and good direction.