Co-writer of this documentary directed by Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin, Robert Downey, Jr. interviews stars, activists and every day people, inside and outside both Democratic and Republican conventions before the 1992 presidential election. In the process, he follows both candidates throughout the country, and witnesses demonstrations of all kinds; through the interviews he tackles major issues such as abortion, racism, immigration and poverty.

If then recently Oscar nominee (for Chaplin), Robert Downey Jr. chose to write and host a political documentary it was most certainly because he was searching for answers about his country. A country were people his age were born during the Vietnam war and had since then only known governments that had always been lying to them.

This behind-the-scenes look at the presidential elections brings an amazing insight to the world of politics and to society. It helps realize that the American dream is not there for everybody and that the next government will have to find answers to the situation of the homeless, the unemployed. Although it is easily understood which side  Robert Downey, Jr. takes (he is not trying to pretend he’s neutral), he gives the floor to all opinions and only takes a stand when the ideas put forward are too harsh to be accepted.

In the process of introducing the presidential campaign, Robert Downey, Jr. also takes us for a tour of his own family. His dad, his step mom, his wife… The Last Party is also about him, his childhood in a free spirit / artistic atmosphere, the divorce of his parents, his own issues with drugs and his love and admiration for Charlie Chaplin. And being able to see him, from the age of 5 (when he was shooting Pound), to the day of the Clinton victory in 1992, sitting at home with his family and celebrating, is not the least interesting part of the documentary… specially for fans!

Many stars have agreed to answer his questions, including some who worked with him, like Mary Stuart Masterson (co-star - “Chances Are”) and Oliver Stone (Director -  “Natural Born Killers”). He even gets to have a word with Bill Clinton!

Isabelle, mai 2002