Miley Cyrus Takes Critical Heat (And Some Praise) in 'The Last Song'

By Bryan Alexander Posted Mar 31st 2010 09:11PM

While moviegoers are just starting to weigh in on Miley Cyrus' movie acting, the nation's most prominent film critics have already gone to press with their feelings on her turn in 'The Last Song,' and the reviews have been critical to downright harsh. Here are some examples from the reviews as detailed in The Wrap.com -- starting with the good:

Roger Ebert, The Sun Times: "Her acting is unaffected, she can play serious, and she works easily with a pro like Kinnear."

Rob Nelson, Variety: "Cyrus, alas, hasn't yet learned not to act with her eyebrows and overbite. But she does show off her considerable chops as a pianist and remains reasonably likable throughout."

See the bad to very bad after the jump:

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Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: "Nothing else about 'The Last Song' -- not Cyrus' stiff, unconvincing acting, the sentimental dialogue or the falsely upbeat ending -- is pretty at all."

Joe Williams, St Louis Post-Dispatch: "On 'Hannah Montana,' she had a flair for broad comedy, and in real life she seems to be handling her fame reasonably well. If Cyrus let her handlers decide that a rote exercise like 'The Last Song' should be her next act, we'll write it off as a first offense."

A.O. Scott, New York Times: "Another big problem is Ms. Cyrus... But acting, for the moment at least, seems almost entirely beyond her. In 'The Last Song' she pouts, slouches, storms in and out of rooms and occasionally cracks a snaggle-toothed smile, but most of the time she seems to be mugging for the camera, play-acting rather than exploring the motives and feelings of her character."

Lou Lumenick, New York Post: "It's the worst of both worlds as Disney cash cow Miley Cyrus makes the most dubious 'dramatic' debut of any singer since Britney Spears in 'The Last Song' ... Displaying approximately 1½ expressions, the teenage Cyrus pouts her way through a fire, a wedding and a funeral -- not to mention intervening in an abusive relationship, digging out guilty secrets and resisting overtures from her dad, whom she's never forgiven ... Miley is also making a halfhearted attempt to resist romantic overtures from a volleyball-playing rich boy portrayed by bland Aussie hunk Liam Hemsworth, who has become Cyrus' boyfriend in real life -- something not at all reflected by their total lack of on-screen chemistry."

Comments

(14)

Wednesday 31 March

By fvfdgm1

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Well, whenever there's a movie the critics don't like, I generally like it. So - for me, it's a no brainer. I'll have to go see the movie.

By adasofia5

I have read the book and can't wait to see the last song. I know that miley will do a good job. I don't listen to critics and I make my own mind. I hope this movie will be a success for miley and I wish her the best.

By loveyouhotmiley

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I was one of the first to see The Last Song today and it was a pretty good movie. It went by fast and was done before I finished my popcorn and soda which means I wasn't bored. I won't lie and say it was the greatest love story ever, but Miley was equal to the task with all the other people, some established actors, and I was able to feel like I was watching a "real" story. I think they went a little overboard on the Miley/Liam kissing scenes, I guess to show she is an "adult" actor now, unlike the Hannah movie where the kiss was like nothing. Miley has some great presence that just draws me in, and I'm sure she will be in more new films. She is beautiful and make sure to stay for the end credits to hear both her new songs.

By txnurse60

"LACK OF ON-SCREEN CHEMISTRY"? Really? Lou, did you even SEE the movie. Those kids had chemistry alright. Us grown-ups could learn from them. Of course they had chemistry. They're beautiful, talented kids. Leave 'em alone, get a life and for once, judge a movie on how it leaves you....not whether the main character's teeth are straight or not. Moron critics.

Thursday 01 April

By Frank

She is a joke

By truth

acting cute on Hannah Montana does not make you Meryl Streep, or Britney Spears for that matter. I think Kevin Federline is a better actor

By hinchcliffe

Thoroughly enjoyed the movie and thought Miley did very well!

By phil

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She is a no talent hack that would be working Micky D's if it wasn't for her daddy. horrible voice, overexposed, diva wanna-be. I want to vomit every time she is on TV. GO AWAY!

By Diane

The problem with critics and Miley is that so many of them hate her for being young, rich, beautiful and refusing to follow the established mode of saying nothing while being perfect, that it is almost impossible to believe them as an objective third party.

By Songwriter88

I'm not sure about it, it looks good, but I would have to go see it for myself

Friday 02 April

By jen

Is this for real???? Just because you don't like Miley doesn't mean you can say crap about her thats not true. She is an amazing actress, her acting is REAL! The movie was amazing, all the acting was great and I think just because you have a low opinion of someone, it shouldn't get in the way of you giving your honest opinion!

Sunday 04 April

By Jessica

I liked the movie, some of these critics must have not read the book because, ronnie wasn't all smiles and rainbows, i believe that miley played a good ronnie all that was missing for me was the purple streak in her hair. but thats just me

Wednesday 07 April

By vnkbkj;

Saw it.Hate it.
She need to get an acting coach.

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