About Last Night
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.25 You Save: $5.70 (57%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.48 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of About Last Night
Movie Review: DON'T TAKE LOVE FOR GRANTED...
Summary: 5 Stars
This was one of the few films of the 80's in which the style actually met the substance. "About Last Night..." is enjoyable enough for the mid-80's pastel decors and slick Chicago locales and cinematography, not to mention an INCREDIBLE adult contemporary soundtrack and SHEENA EASTON theme song, "So Far, So Good." However, the plot is the true draw of repeat viewings. I never saw the play from which this screenplay was adapted, so I can't compare, but I would not call this film "watered down" in the least. In fact, this was probably one of the "meatier," realistic plots of the entire 1980's, and this is the best example of Demi Moore's acting skill I have witnessed. Moore and Lowe meet, and both play slightly manipulative head games on one another to keep their detachment intact. As they slowly fall in love and reveal more of themselves to one another, each becomes more afraid of the vulnerability each experiences. While both want to continue the relationship, an unintentional power struggle begins, and as with many youthful relationships, no one can establish when it started or by whom. Moore's character wants to be closer, but fears smothering Lowe. Lowe just wants things to go along like they are without really "thinking" about it that much. She analyzes, he doesn't: the whole girl/guy "Venus/Mars" scenario begins.
Elizabeth Perkins and James Belushi are great as the best friend of each main character. In their individual bitter loneliness, each "friend," in the NAME of friendship, manages more to erode confidence in the relationship than support each friend. This works out wonderfully for each "friend" when the couple breaks up, allowing each "friend" to have their best buddy back to spend all their time with them instead. This kind of vulturous manipulation is rarely addressed and it is good to see it addressed in this movie.
The split comes from lack of effective communication instead of lack of love. Lowe's character takes the relationship for granted and makes an extremely careless error in judgement, deeply hurting Moore's character. Only much later, after sorting out his own issues, does he realize what he has tossed away and grieves for his choices and their results.
When trying to persuade Moore to take him back, unconvincingly in "me" guy-speak, she reminds him, "but you HAD love and you didn't WANT it. You threw it away....get on with your LIFE!" He goes on and she goes on (amazingly, without a Celine Dion theme song) and their lives evolve seperately. Eventually, they come to an understanding that both had different expectations of what the relationship would be like, based on seperate, inaccurate influences. Communication begins and how it develops is left to the viewer's imagination.
Couples should be mandated to watch this film at the beginning of a relationship as a "how-to/how-not-to" guide. It might just save everyone a lot of time, pain, and regret along the way...
Movie Review: A romantic drama with real heart
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on David Mamet's play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" this movie, starring Rob Lowe and a young Demi Moore, is a particular favorite of mine. It's an involving and at times searing portrayal of the relationship between two people in 1980s Chicago and the interactions and problems that relationship causes them in their existing friendships.
First we have Rob Lowe as Danny, a salesman with dreams of one day owning his own restaurant and his best friend Bernie (played for almost comic relief by James Belushi). One night he meets in a bar the beautiful Debbie (played by Moore who has never looked more attractive) and her best friend and roommate Joan (played by Elizabeth Perkins).
After a rather shaky beginning Danny and Debbie are soon off on a whirlwind romance that eventually leads to Debbie moving into Danny's apartment and the two inadvertently ignoring their friends (much to the chagrin of both Bernie and Joan).
Of course trouble is soon brewing as Danny has to forsake his rather player lifestyle and Debbie wants more commitment than he is willing, or able to offer. The movie follows the ups and downs in the relationship and leaves the viewer really rooting for the two of them to work out their differences. It's hard to exactly figure out what it is that this movie does right. t seems to have a perfect blend of comedy, drama, passion and sorrow that makes for some compelling viewing. This movie would almost be required viewing for young adults as a precautionary tale if it were not for the gratuitous nudity (has Demi Moore ever had more topless scenes in any one picture?) and scenes of a drunk Danny spiraling down into despair.
This is a true gem of a movie and probably one of the best date movies ever. The DVD is a little thin on special features but at under $10 this is a must-own.
Movie Review: Strikes many chords
Summary: 5 Stars
Though most will agree this is a predictable love story of a one night stand turned serious, there are so many reasons to love this 1980's date movie. Let's start with the cast: Rob Lowe, cute as ever, is perfectly cast as playboy, Danny. His sidekick, the HILARIOUS Jim Belushi, plays the boorish best friend, always ready with a belch, cuss word and a smile. Demi Moore, though not the greatest actress of all time, plays these types of characters quiet well. She gives the character of Debbie a depth of emotion and sensitivity that all women can relate to. Elizabeth Perkins (He Said-She Said and BIG) is wonderfully sarcastic and endearing as Debbie's best friend, Joan, albeit a jealous one who seeks her own love and affection in the strangest of unattainable partners.
Next you'll love the dialog. If you came of age in the '80's you will feel your heartstrings being pulled in this film. In one poignant scene, just moments after ringing in the New Year at Mother's Bar, Rob admits to Debbie that, "I don't love you anymore..." and expresses raw feelings which alone can punch you in the chest like an iron fist, even if you have never heard those words spoken to you in a relationship.
Lots of foul language, explicit sexual conversations, nudity, steamy sex, and so on, but nothing you haven't seen before.
Last but not least, this movie has LOADS of great songs that truly match the tone of the scenes, especially those by Bob Seger, John Waite, Jermaine Jackson, and Sheena Easton. Pick up the soundtrack, you'll love every moment of it.
You will laugh, cry, and probably totally relate. Enjoy!
Movie Review: It Happened One Night in Chicago in 1986.
Summary: 5 Stars
My VCR Tape of this movie was wearing out so I decided to look for a DVD. I was pleasantly surprised to see how many persons had taken the time to write a review of it. I was totally captivated by this movie when I first saw it in the theater. I have never read or seen the original play, but I was immediately struck by the similarity to "It Happened One Night" staring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert from 1934. Not only in the basic script premises of "boy and girl get together and so on," but also by the technical excellence of both films. "About Last Night" is very well directed by a very good director. It is very well acted by Rob Lowe and Demi Moore. Unfortunately where Gable and Colbert went on the get better and better, Lowe and Moore went merely become self-obsessed and self destructive. However that does not take anything away for a couple of excellent acting jobs in this film. Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins are superb, and there is no movie without their excellent acting. The sound track is also excellent; it knits the popular music into the visual until you cannon imagine either one without the other. And of course, Chicago in a very photogenic city. I was a college student there in the late `60s and early `70s. It was fascinating to see how little things had changed, both visually and socially. I played ball on those same Lake Shore Drive fields and drank in those same Rush Street and Clark Street bars and learned a lot about life the hard way. This is a very pretty film, and I love it.Movie Review: Reality in the big city
Summary: 5 Stars
I absolutley love this film. Rob Lowe and Demi Moore connect well, even though Rob's acting talents are not quite up to par. Who cares anyway, the ladies are too busy drooling over his face. Jim Belushi is awesome as a jealous best friend just wishing he had a bit of Danny's,(Lowe's),luck. Filmed throughout the beautiful city of Chicago, giving any single person a reason to move there. Anyone who dated in the mid-eighties can relate to this film. Some of Belushi's quotes are so damn funny, I can't print them here without being censored. Great soundtrack also. Very very funny film, also looks great on dvd, exspecially the softball scenes. If you can remember the first time you moved in with a new love, this hits home and brings back memories. Infactuation, lust maybe first, but soon your home life changes, its up to you if your are fine with the changes. Down to earth film showing the turmoils and tribulations of living together, honest fun. "I'm going home, make some macaroni and cheese, seel the windows and turn up the gas." classic Belushi