The Last Catch is a short film by Matthew Paris telling a story of anger and regret, and how these feelings tend to coagulate at the surface of our consciousness when death appears on the horizon. Mark’s father is dying. Despite not having the most positive feelings towards his dad, Mark makes the journey home with his girlfriend to see him. The atmosphere is frosty at first. Mark has been away for several years: it’s awkward and angular. Everyone has their defences up. James, Mark’s father, is keen to talk. He seeks forgiveness from his son and tries to explain some of his actions.
While their relationship might not have been perfect, Mark and his father manage to push through some of these issues. James confesses he is proud of his son and they embrace in an emotional climax. James also gives his blessing on his son’s relationship with Whitney – an area of previous conflict.
There is one final step in the healing between father and son: James wants to play catch one last time with Mark. Although the prostate cancer has left him in a weakened state, Mark manages to fulfil his father’s final wish. They have come to terms with each other’s actions, and can now move on free from guilt and anger.
Starring Bradley Costas as Mark and Mitchell Rad as his father, the pair capture the slightly awkward, but ultimately loving relationship between father and son. Rad is especially adept at capturing the nuanced emotions of a man looking at his limited time left while reflecting on the time that has already passed. The on-screen relationship between Costas and Rad is highly emotional and very touching. Mark’s girlfriend, played by Marielle Taimanglo, and his mother, played by Joy Leigh, have a nice side narrative to the main father-son discourse. The pair bond a little over Mark, settling the dust of what seems to have been a turbulent relationship. Taimanglo and Leigh work together to provide extra depth to the narrative, and a contrast to the father-son bonding which largely occurs in private.
With an emotional second climax, the film concludes. A short story with a lot of emotional depth, The Last Catch reminds us why we shouldn’t waste time when it comes to the people we love.
Watch the trailer below.