Program Note
Nancy is a young night manager at a remote roadway diner, mourning the recent death of her mom. She hates the job her owner father gave her, as she struggles to prove herself worthy of respect. Her night staff are lazy bums, and she gets tired of their antics, so she fires all of them on the spot. Now left alone, Nancy becomes the target of masked assailants and must fight for her life throughout the night.
Last Straw is an impressive feature directing debut by Alan Scott Neal, whose commentary on toxic masculinity is cleverly disguised as a ‘home invasion’ thriller. This violent modern-day grindhouse film is a gritty rollercoaster ride. Mr. Neal’s compelling storytelling is aided by Jessica Belkin’s outstanding portrayal of Nancy, a girl who wants to pass through the worst day in her otherwise lackadaisical life. (Jongsuk Thomas NAM)