The Last Tree

Name: The Last Tree
Genre: Drama
Released: June 26, 2020
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Demmy Ladipo, Denise Black, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Ibrahim Jammal, Jack Chadwick

2020

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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The Last Tree

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Movie Details & Credits

Picturehouse Entertainment | Release Date (Streaming): June 26, 2020 | Not Rated

Starring: Demmy Ladipo, Denise Black, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Ibrahim Jammal, Jack Chadwick, Jayden Jean-Paul-Denis, John Akanmu, Layo-Christina Akinlude, Nicholas Pinnock, Rasaq Kukoyi, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Sam Adewunmi, Tai Golding, Tuwaine Barrett, Yazzmin Newell

Summary: After a happy childhood in the countryside, a teenager moves to London, where he must navigate an unfamiliar environment on his road to adulthood.

Director: Shola Amoo

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 98 min

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Critic Reviews

100

G. Allen Johnson

Jun 25, 2020

I don’t want to give too much away, but Amoo’s direction is strong, and his film moves in unexpected directions. Stil Williams’ cinematography is divine. Adewunmi and Ikumelo are excellent, and kudos to Pinnock, Tai Golding as young Femi, Denise Black as the foster mom, Demmy Ladipo as a gang leader and Ruthxjiah Bellenea as a potential love interest who shares Femi’s love for the Cure. Read full review

Amon Warmann

Oct 4, 2019

While comparisons to Moonlight are not without merit, The Last Tree bucks the coming-of-age blueprint in new, specific ways. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Mark Kermode

Oct 10, 2019

Akinola (best known to some for his work on Doctor Who) is clearly completely in tune with the director, getting under the skin of his story and striking just the right note of internalised anguish and ecstasy that defines this tender, heartfelt and clearly very personal movie. Read full review

Lovia Gyarkye

Jun 25, 2020

The film feels at times like it is trying to take on too much — plotlines are rushed, relationships feel unearned or not explained. Still, I can’t help but be impressed by Amoo’s attempts to direct a familiar narrative with such a complicated set of questions. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Jul 16, 2020

Rich with technical strategies that enhance our view into Femi’s emotions, The Last Tree uses slow-motion, diffused sound, and many Spike Lee-like camera shots to make the story extremely personal and unique. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

Oct 10, 2019

It’s a charismatic performance from Adewunmi, and Amoo’s camera often comes in close to his face and his gaze, suggesting that Femi is on the verge of some kind of epiphany or vision – and it’s nothing to do with the drugs. Read full review

Ty Burr

Jun 25, 2020

The gap between storytelling and story is rarely as wide as in The Last Tree, a coming-of-age drama that is rapturously shot and dramatically trite. Read full review

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Brent_Marchant

Jun 29, 2020

While this coming of age tale tries valiantly to make a meaningful statement, its underdeveloped narrative and unresolved story threads keep it from reaching its potential greatness. The film's impressive performances (especially by lead Sam Adewunmi), superb cinematography and complementaryWhile this coming of age tale tries valiantly to make a meaningful statement, its underdeveloped narrative and unresolved story threads keep it from reaching its potential greatness. The film's impressive performances (especially by lead Sam Adewunmi), superb cinematography and complementary score mesh well together, but it's unfortunate that the underlying script doesn't make use of them to best advantage. With nods to "Moonlight" and other productions, director Shola Amoo does a capable job of telling the protagonist's story, but he just can't quite pull them all together, especially in the final act. Still, the filmmaker, in his sophomore feature offering, is someone to watch in future releases, especially if he hones his writing to match the quality of the images he displays on screen.… Expand

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