After Everything

Well I reckon I deserve a pat on the back for actually struggling through this franchise that makes the "Twilight" films look like Pulitzer prize winning stuff. We continue to follow the hugely disinteresting love antics of the dreary "Hardin" (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) who, having lost the love of "Tessa" (Josephine Langford) had a one night stand with "Nathalie" (Mimi Keane) that ended up on the internet. Needless to say, she wasn't best pleased and so now, some time after, he heads to Portugal to try to make amends (and so the crew can get some sun). Of course what he really wants is to reunite with "Tessa" but can he grow up enough to realise the errors of his ways and to reconcile with her? Well I really could not have cared less. Initially I found Tiffin to have a little charm about him, but now this part has been well and truly exhausted and he has neither that charm nor any charisma to bring to a role that really consists of a pretty odious and self-indulgent character. There's lots of familial discord, an on/off drink problem (probably for us watching, too) and the ending was more like a sigh of relief for all concerned. I know, I'm not the demographic - but money has been spent on this - and it's money that could have been better spent on - well, just about anything. The characters are weak and though it's quite nicely shot amidst some attractive locations, this is just now well put to bed. Please let's not have a Christmas special.

Hardin's ex girlfriend is back in the picture! She is also hotter and funnier in every way than his current fling, Tessa. She is also, a way better actress, not that anyone asked. In this one Hardin never misses: he reveals a dark past, one in which he assaulted and filmed a girl without her consent. Fear not ! She forgives him for no reason at the end of the film. This causes a change of heart in Hardin, who, for my greatest displeasure, stops drinking. Nontheless a very good chapter and the new actress is a breath of fresh air, especially to the acting of the serie, which Hardin is not known for carrying.