Last Date Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 15, 2026
Movie Overview: Last Date
| Movie | Last Date |
| Release Year | 1991 |
| Director | Hans Hylkema |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Runtime | 92 minutes (1h 32m) |
| Language | NL |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Last Date (1991) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 10.0/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Documentary.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Last Date are led by Eric Dolphy . The supporting cast, including Han Bennink and John Coltrane , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
Last Date stands out as a strong entry in the Documentary genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.
- Compelling performances from the main cast
- Strong visual storytelling and direction
- Well-structured Documentary narrative
- Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Last Date has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Documentary fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Last Date
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1991, Last Date is a Documentary film directed by Hans Hylkema. The narrative presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Eric Dolphy as Self.
Ending Explained: Last Date
Last Date Ending Explained: A documentary about the weeks leading up to the early death of jazz legend Eric Dolphy. Directed by Hans Hylkema, this 1991 documentary film stars Eric Dolphy (Self), alongside Han Bennink as Self, John Coltrane as Self, Charles Mingus as Self. With a 10/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of Last Date?
A documentary about the weeks leading up to the early death of jazz legend Eric Dolphy. Centered around his last month alive and the titular record done in Holland with Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink, the documentary traces his LA roots up through the last Charles Mingus tour that led Dolphy to stay in Europe in 1964. The interviews are with a host of contemporaries like Richard Davis, Ted Curson, Nathan Davis and those involved in the Last Date recording. The rare archival footage of Dolphy is riveting. The pictures provided by friends and family also show an intense young man whose future success was assured.
Hans Hylkema's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Eric Dolphy (Self)'s journey. Centered around his last month alive and the titular record done in Holland with Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink, the documentary traces his LA roots up through the last Charles Mingus tour that led Dolphy to stay in Europe in 1964.
How Does Eric Dolphy (Self)'s Story End?
- Eric Dolphy: Eric Dolphy's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Hans Hylkema delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 32m runtime.
- Han Bennink (Self): Han Bennink's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- John Coltrane (Self): John Coltrane's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Last Date Mean?
Last Date concludes with Hans Hylkema reinforcing the documentary themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Eric Dolphy leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.
Last Date Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is Last Date Based on a True Story?
No, Last Date is a work of fiction. While the documentary film directed by Hans Hylkema and starring Eric Dolphy may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch Last Date?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Documentaries cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate well-executed genre storytelling
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Last Date Parents Guide & Age Rating
1991 AdvisoryWondering about Last Date age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Last Date (1991) is 92 minutes (1h 32m). Directed by Hans Hylkema, the film runs for 92 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 10.0/10, and global performance metrics, Last Date is classified as a SUPER HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1991 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Last Date worth watching?
Last Date is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies. It has a verified rating of 10/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Last Date parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Last Date identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of Last Date (1991)?
The runtime of Last Date (1991) is 92 minutes (approximately 1h 32m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
