The Last of the High Kings

On the last day of secondary school in the summer of 1977, in the charming coastal village of Howth, County Dublin, Ireland, Frankie (Jared Leto) finds himself overwhelmed by a mix of disappointment and uncertainty. As he prepares to leave school, Frankie is convinced that he has failed his final exams, which spells the end of his hopes for attending university and pursuing romantic relationships with classmates such as Romy (Emily Mortimer) and Jayne (Lorraine Pilkington). Despite feeling disheartened, he decides to go out with his friends that evening, trying to enjoy what little time he has left before confronting an uncertain future.

The following morning, Frankie begins a long wait of seven weeks until August 18, when his exam results are expected to arrive. Meanwhile, he feels the weight of familial tension: his mother, Cathleen (Catherine O’Hara), scolds him publicly, emphasizing the importance of his future and warning him about girls from Protestant backgrounds, including Romy and Jayne. His father, Jack (Gabriel Byrne), makes a dramatic entrance by driving recklessly through the locked gate of their home, damaging it, before greeting his wife and their five children. Jack is a theatrical man who will soon leave on an extended tour to the United States for another stage production—an absence that worries Frankie, especially since Jack offers him a goldfish as a pre-birthday gift, signaling the temporary nature of his return.

Before his departure, Jack provides Frankie with some advice about facing the future, though it leaves Frankie more confused than reassured. Intent on making the most of his summer, Frankie dreams of a beach party with hopes of spending time with Romy and Jayne on a local beach, fantasizing about romance and freedom. During this period, Frankie receives a letter from Jack filled with words of encouragement, which only adds to his inner turmoil.

One evening, Frankie hosts a house party when his mother leaves for a political event, but the gathering turns out to be dull, as Frankie and his friends have neglected to invite any girls. Throughout the summer, Frankie also works on repairing the damaged gate from his father’s earlier mishap, when Romy drops by to collect donations for the Labour Party. His mother, however, warns him to stay away from Romy, Jayne, and other Protestant girls, adding further complications to his budding social life.

Erin, a visiting teenager from Milwaukee, arrives with her younger sister Rainbow (although not detailed in the summary), at Jack’s invitation, stirring a new wave of excitement. Frankie, eager to impress, plays the guitar during dinner, leading Erin to see him as a mature and capable young man. This sparks a flirtation, with Erin openly expressing her feelings and Frankie feeling unsure but intrigued. His mother insists that he take Erin to the movies, and the two go out together. They board a bus, where Frankie introduces Erin to Romy and Jayne. Inspired by her new friends, Erin cheerfully puts on a spirited cheerleading routine dedicated to Frankie, embarrassing him but also demonstrating her affection.

As their connection deepens, Erin openly admits her love for Frankie, leading him to initially hesitate before sharing a passionate kiss. When Erin leaves the next day, Frankie, overwhelmed with embarrassment, is unable to say a proper goodbye. His relationship with the girls remains complicated, tangled with social pressures and youthful uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Frankie’s mother, Cathleen, pressures him into participating in local politics, encouraging him to vote illegally. Instead of casting a vote, Frankie defaces his ballot with an expletive, symbolizing his rebellious attitude. His cheeky act results in James Davern (Colm Meaney) being declared the winner of the election, much to Cathleen’s delight, prompting her to host an impromptu victory party. During the celebration, Cathleen serenades Mr. Davern, but the night takes a chaotic turn when Frankie and his brother, Ray (not explicitly named in the summary), spike the punch. Mr. Davern, attempting to flirt with Cathleen, ends up passing out from alcohol poisoning, highlighting the wild and unpredictable nature of their summer.

Frankie’s reckless streak continues when he wanders into a gorse fire after an argument about planning the beach party. He nearly succumbs to the smoke but is rescued by firemen. Later, Romy and Jayne invite Frankie to play pool, and in a moment of jealousy and confusion, Romy spots Frankie and Jayne together. Frankie ends up at Jayne’s house where they share an intimate moment, only to have Jayne throw him out angrily, with his clothes flying out of the window. On his way home, Frankie learns that Elvis Presley has died, adding an unexpected layer of sadness to his summer.

Prompted by his mother, Frankie makes a mock confession at church, symbolizing his internal struggle with maturity and responsibility. The arrival of his exam results causes a wave of relief when he discovers he has passed, sparking a sense of hope for his future. His father, Jack, arrives back home via taxi, and in a dramatic gesture, the driver breaks through the repaired gate—reconnecting Frankie with his family’s roots and hopes.

As the summer draws to an end, Frankie hosts a beach party in Elvis Presley’s honor. During this celebration, he confesses his love to Romy, who reciprocates, and they walk together along the beach—symbolizing a new chapter in their lives. The story captures a pivotal moment in adolescence—a blend of hopes, frustrations, love, and youthful rebellion—set against the backdrop of a small Irish community experiencing the magic and melancholy of a summer that will stay with Frankie forever.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:15