Love stinks.

At least that’s the way I felt after seeing the newly released movie, “The Last Kiss,” this past weekend.

The previews for this movie do not give a real representation of what the movie is actually about. I expected a lighthearted, romantic comedy. One of those movies that makes you want to fall in love and appreciate what you have. Instead, this movie turned out to be a dark comedy that does have many funny moments, but in the end leaves you feeling disheartened about love.

What “Last Kiss” does have is a phenomenal cast. Each actor was able to get into their role and make you hate their character, love them or just feel sorry for them.

Zach Braff (“Garden State,” “Scrubs”), plays “Michael”, the twenty something year old suffering from a mid-life crisis, even though he is only twenty something. In order for him to truly appreciate the love of his life, he must test the waters and cheat on his pregnant girlfriend. I guess he couldn’t figure out how much he really loved her until he slept with another woman. Bad Idea.

Rachel Bilson is fantastic in her role as the crazy college girl, “Kim,” who gets mixed up in Michael’s mid-life crisis. Bilson plays the upfront and somewhat-psycho character, with fervor and zeal. The role is quite a stretch from her usual character as The O.C.’s preppy and perky Summer Roberts. At first you dislike Kim, because she is the forbidden fruit that comes between Michael and Jenna’s happiness. But in the end, you pity her for believing she has a chance with a nearly married man.

Jacinda Barrett (“Poseidon,” “Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”) is excellent in her role as “Jenna,” Michael’s longtime girlfriend. She has the subtleties and softness, but also the anger and furor when necessary.

The rest of the cast is also amazing. Blythe Danner, Casey Affleck, Michael Weston, Tom Wilkinson and Marley Shelton each get into the roles of their very diverse characters to explore the world of relationships, heartbreak and love.

The story of “Kiss,” written by Paul Haggis, (Crash) is a simple one. A comical one. A somewhat enjoyable one. And a depressingly honest one. Relationships aren’t perfect. People are not always faithful. Babies scream and wives yell. You deal with it or you get out. That’s the message with “Kiss.”

Although the storyline may be honest and sincere, it is not what us Americans go to the movies to see. We pay $10 a movie ticket to be enthralled by someone else’s reality. To see a glimpse of what life could be like. To believe in fantasy and happily ever after. Not to leave the theater, feeling hopeless. Which is what “Kiss” does.

In the end no one really finds true love. Everyone settles or frees themselves of their pathetic relationship. You feel real sorry for Jenna, for Kim and even a little bit for Michael.

And you never really get to find out what happens between Michael and Jenna.

Rating: 1 1/2 Stars

Total stars possible: 4

Amy Ball can be reached at [email protected]