There's no question that Gus Van Sant's depiction of the final days in the life of a junkie rock star (modeled on Kurt Cobain) is an accomplished piece of filmmaking. The film's wide, long takes and contemplative pacing represent an admirable contrast to the MTV machine-gun editing style so predominant in most contemporary cinema.

"Last Days" is cinematically commendable, despite the fact that it relates a wisp of a story about an irritating cast of characters who stumble and mumble their way through a beautifully made film.

"Last Days" carries on the aesthetic of Van Sant's award-winning drama based on the Columbine tragedy, "Elephant" (2003), as well as his 2002 film "Gerry" -- a protracted and uneventful yet mesmerizing exploration of two men (Matt Damon and Casey Affleck) lost in the desert.

Michael Pitt gives a moody and appropriately grating performance as the inarticulate rock star, Blake, hiding away from the world on the grounds of his rundown woodland estate. A series of transparently motivated costume changes give us the opportunity to see Pitt in several of the classically recognizable Cobain outfits -- including a simple black slip, plain white T-shirt and jeans, and that one really great furry plaid jacket -- as well as a nice opening sequence of him in dripping wet boxer shorts.

The rest of the cast floats on and off screen for brief appearances. Kim Gordon gives a wooden performance as a concerned record executive. Asia Argento shows up momentarily (and, despite expectations, doesn't actually seem to be Blake's Courtney-esque girlfriend). And an unexpected gay love scene between Lukas Haas and Scott Green provides a nice surprise.

"Last Days" carries on Van Sant's penchant for telling stories about beautiful, troubled young straight guys. And though it is for the most part relentlessly grim in its unfolding, Van Sant's incredibly dry sense of humor shows through in sequences involving a hapless door-to-door solicitor (Thadeus A. Thomas) and a pair of cute young Mormon boys spreading the gospel (Adam and Andy Friberg).

Mainstream audiences expecting to see a sensational tale of rock-star suicide will have a better experience of "Last Days" if they focus on appreciating the film's truly remarkable cinematic style. For better or worse, Van Sant's impressionistic film brings the viewer into the psyche of this deeply troubled, creative soul who spends his days -- his last days -- alone and intoxicated. The film is so well-crafted, it's like spending 48 hours in a house full of heroin addicts -- in the end, not the most pleasant experience.

-- Jenni Olson