Introduction"The Last of Robin Hood" is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland. Starring Kevin Kline, Dakota Fanning, and Susan Sarandon, the film recounts the last years of renowned Hollywood star Errol Flynn and his controversial relationship with young starlet Beverly Aadland, as narrated by her mother, Florence Aadland.
Plot OverviewThe film is set in the late 1950s, during the subsiding days of Errol Flynn's career. Known for his swashbuckling roles and infamous for his hedonistic way of life, Flynn, played by Kevin Kline, is an aging film star having a hard time to keep relevance in Hollywood. Regardless of his decreasing health and fading fame, Flynn's hunger for life and girls stays unabated.
Enter Beverly Aadland (Dakota Fanning). She is a fifteen-year-old ambitious starlet whose aggressive and enthusiastic mother, Florence (Susan Sarandon), is keen to see her prosper in Hollywood. Flynn notices Beverly on the Warner Bros. lot, and despite the vast distinction in their ages, he is immediately taken by her charm and appeal. A suspicious Florence, at first resistant, is ultimately swayed by the allure of stardom for her child and becomes a complicit chaperone to their relationship.
Their affair quickly evolves into an outrageous and intense sexual relationship, protected by the studio and handled by Florence's opportunistic management. Nevertheless, the relationship, which went for two years, was kept secret from the public up until after Flynn's death. Florence eventually authors a tell-all book, maintaining the narrative that her child was the "last love" of Errol Flynn.
Characters and PerformancesKevin Kline provides a nuanced performance as Errol Flynn, stabilizing charm and decadence to portray a man past his prime yet clinging to his youth. Kline's Flynn is both magnetic and awful, imbued with a sense of impending doom. Dakota Fanning's representation of Beverly Aadland catches the vulnerability and confusion of a girl captured in the grip of Hollywood's sexy yet exploitative equipment. Susan Sarandon as Florence Aadland is similarly engaging, supplying a complex portrayal of a mom whose inspirations are twisted between protective instinct and vicarious desire for popularity.
Styles and Critique"The Last of Robin Hood" browses through themes such as the dark underbelly of Hollywood, the exploitation of young stars, and the devastating nature of popularity and celebrity culture. The film also analyzes the moral uncertainties of adult authorization, especially as Florence allows her daughter's involvement with Flynn, questioning the ethics of fame at the cost of youth and innocence.
While the movie showcases strong efficiencies from the lead actors, it has actually received combined reviews. Critics have praised the film's acting and duration detail but have likewise pointed out its surface-level exploration of the story's much deeper issues. The narrative was seen by some as glossed over, stopping working to thoroughly investigate the intricacies of the relationship or offer a more critical take a look at the circumstances and cultural context that allowed such a relationship to exist.
ConclusionEventually, "The Last of Robin Hood" offers a cinematic look into the final act of a Hollywood legend and his outrageous affair with a minor. Through star-studded efficiencies and a focus on the fairly dubious elements of Tinseltown's past, the film raises essential concerns about the nature of celebrity and the often uncontrolled power yielded by stars in the entertainment industry. It is a provocative retelling that advises us that the glamour of Hollywood often hides a more unpleasant truth.
Top Cast
