The Last Laugh (2019)

What makes The Last Laugh worth your time is the simple, disarming pleasure of watching two old pros—Richard Dreyfuss and Chevy Chase—circle each other with equal parts irritation, affection, and hard-won history, until the movie quietly earns its heart. It’s a road comedy with a gentle, late-in-life glow: more wry and reflective than laugh-a-minute, but warmed by Dreyfuss’ easy charm and the film’s sincere interest in second chances and the jokes we tell to outrun regret. Greg Pritikin keeps the vibe cozy and companionable, letting small venues, long drives, and backstage moments do the emotional heavy lifting without turning syrupy. Fair warning: it’s frank about aging, mortality, and sex, and the humor can be a bit coarse, but if you’re in the mood for something sweet-natured that still has a little bite, this one sneaks up on you.

The Last Laugh is clearly aiming for a bittersweet “one more shot” road-comedy about aging, regret, and the way showbiz chews people up, with Chevy Chase and Richard Dreyfuss trying to squeeze some warmth out of a familiar setup. The problem is it plays like a very safe, been-there script: the jokes are often more crude than clever, the story beats feel predictable, and the whole thing can come off oddly flat for a movie about big emotions and second chances. If you’re expecting sharp stand-up sequences, a fresh take on late-life friendship, or anything with real comedic bite, this may feel tame and a bit lifeless. But if you’re in the mood for an easy, low-stakes watch carried mostly by veteran actors and a gentle, sentimental vibe, you might get enough out of it.