It starts off alright, providing some backstory to the people being interviewed. But, from the outset, seeing the rather extraordinary measures they go to to "safely" interview the people -- effectively isolating them in a room with a camera and, seemingly, conveying the questions via microphone -- the sense of absurdity already hangs heavy.

Following some piteous tales detailing the overreactive measures taken to curb NYC's corona outbreaks of crica March 2020, and the emotional and non-mutually exclusive fiscal toll it takes on workers in the appertaining industry, the film ends up too mired in "COVID" fear porn; which entirely detracted from the what piece sold itself as initially; and increasingly so, as the film progressed.

It is difficult to recommend this, despite the "grass roots" perspective on the subject matter; given that, at the time of writing, we have been aurally, visually, and psychologically assailed by "COVID" insanity, non-stop, 24/7; and this film ultimately only serves to further compound this mind-altering corona catatonia. 4/10.

Written, produced and directed by Johnny Sweet, Last Call: The Shutdown of NYC Bars takes you within the many neighborhoods of New York City and the local establishments that define them, places that suddenly found themselves closed in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic.

As bars and restaurants are ordered to close during the pandemic, thousands of hospitality workers are left without work yet have an uncertain future. This film explores how they adapt to their new world, find a place in the new normal and attempt to fill their days with the things they missed during the busier times.

Concentrating on the Sparrow Tavern - and bartender Jena Ellenwood - you get the real idea of what the pandemic has cost us: the ability to connect and share in person with one another. There's just something about the conversation and moments within a bar that we can't when we're drinking alone.