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Zach Braff falls short of stardom in 'The Last Kiss'

The Hollywood version of a 2001 Italian film, "The Last Kiss" can't quite shake its mamma-mia! roots — you know, that particularized universe of broad gestures and bombastic emotions which lends itself so well to misunderstandings and overreactions.

What probably seemed natural and even amusing in the original comes off here like Barry Levinson's "Diner" done wrong. That's not to say this version, well directed by Tony Goldwyn and adapted by a pre-"Crash" Paul Haggis, isn't entertaining and occasionally insightful. But it feels slightly off kilter, as if the filmmakers couldn't figure out how to Americanize these distinctly Mediterranean types.

DreamWorks SKG 'The Last Kiss' C+ The verdict: Not bad, but would probably come across a lot better on DVD. Director: Tony Goldwyn Starring: Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Rachel Bilson, Tom Wilkinson, Blythe Danner Run time: 115 minutes Release date: Sept. 15, 2006 Rating: R for sexuality, nudity and language. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'The Last Kiss'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

Michael ("Scrubs'" Zach Braff) and his long-time girlfriend, Jenna (Jacinda Barrett), are expecting a baby. She's making nesting noises; he's thinking of making tracks. Traumatized by the idea of settling down, he worries, "There'll be no more surprises in my life."

That's probably why he allows himself to be courted by a creamy and just-aggressive-enough college girl, Kim ("The O.C.'s" Rachel Bilson). She knows (and isn't fazed) about the girlfriend, but she doesn't know about the baby. And Michael is too attracted/cowardly to tell her.

There's already trouble between young marrieds Chris (Casey Affleck) and Lisa (Lauren Lee Smith), who can't cope with their infant and are blaming each other, not only for their mutual exhaustion, but also their utter dismay at having to behave like responsible adults.

Izzie (Michael Weston) can't stop stalking an old girlfriend and besides, it gives him something to do instead of taking care of his terminally ill father. Finally, there's Kenny (Eric Christian Olsen), a carefree, long-haired lothario who changes partners more often than he changes his socks.

Further, while these verging-on-30somethings face their pre-midlife crises, Jenna's 50something parents, smoothly played by Blythe Danner and Tom Wilkinson, are having their own post-midlife trauma. Feeling taken for granted — "And then the mattress transformed into a giant bundt cake," she says, just to see if he's listening — she leaves him.

The generally strong cast helps — especially Affleck and Smith, who aren't afraid to come off as selfish and spiteful. And Bilson, in her feature debut, delivers a smart, unpredictable performance.

The question mark marring the movie's center is Braff. "Garden State," which he wrote, directed and starred in (and which is a better movie than this one), garnered rapturous reviews and decent box office, hinted at the possibility of a big-screen transition.

But while he's one of the best-liked actors on television, Braff just may not have the stuff to be a movie star. He brings to mind "Northern Exposure's" likable Rob Morrow, who acquitted himself well in "Quiz Show" but never really took off on the big screen.

Braff has several opportunities to goose the movie — and his character — into something more than "amiable" or overwhelmed, yet he never grabs his moment. Yes, Michael as written is a low-key type, but even Daniel Stern made himself somehow memorable as the record-loving nerd in "Diner."