First Love, Last Rites (1997)

The former bassist for the Lemonheads and a veteran music video director, Jesse Peretz makes his film debut with the slow mood piece First Love, Last Rites. Giovanni Ribisi as New Yorker Joey and Natasha Gregson Wagner as the bayou native Sissel share a steamy romance in a lazy shack, where each has plenty of time and no responsibilities. It is never explained how these characters met, and not much happens to them plot-wise, but the scenes spend plenty of intimate time with the young lovers to create an intense atmosphere of infatuation. Wagner plays Sissel with a mysterious detachment and a knowing whimsy that things won't last long, but her true motivations are never developed. Ribisi's Joey is adorable yet bumbling in his efforts to start the fishing business, but his drives aren't clear, either. While beautifully photographed with Louisiana landscapes and containing a fine soundtrack by Shudder to Think, the film ultimately grows tedious. The lack of a sufficient narrative doesn't help as the two characters become unable to communicate with each other, resulting in a heavily symbolic climax with a pesky rat. After the initial scene is set, First Love, Last Rites becomes almost painful to watch as it heads toward the inevitable conclusion, but at least it contains lush scenery and convincing atmosphere. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide