Steve Pink, director of “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “High Fidelity” and “Accepted,” returns to the big screen with “About Last Night,” a modern remake of the classic 1986 film.
“About Last Night” follows two couples through the trials and tribulations of navigating a new relationship. The couples go from the bar to the bedroom, and are eventually put to the test in the real world.
A humorous look into 21st century relationships, the movie opens with a double date between Bernie (Kevin Hart, “Ride Along”) and Joan (Regina Hall, “Law Abiding Citizen”) who have been dating for 3 months, and set up their friends Danny (Michael Ealy, “Almost Human”) and Debbie (Joy Bryant, “Parenthood”) on a blind date. After the date, Danny and Debbie leave together and have a one night stand.
The plot feeds on the unpredictable nature of relationships and friendships. What’s love without tragedy? Drama increases when newly single Bernie and Joan try to negatively influence Danny and Debbie. Ex girlfriends and boyfriends come back in the picture, which tests the new couple. Danny’s ex Alison (Paula Patton, “2 Guns”) comes running back while Debbie is out of town. Alison doesn’t hold back, and Danny is put to the ultimate test.
It might seem like “About Last Night” is largely about sex, but writer Leslye Headland (“Bachelorette”) found a good balance between love, pain and comedy. The principal characters are looking for Mr. and Mrs. Right, or at least Mr. and Mrs. Right Now.
The characters are very likeable and realistic. The frequent fights between lovers Bernie and Joan are sassy and hilarious.
“About Last Night” exemplifies the unconventional dating culture that we live in. If you appreciate reality based relationship comedies with love, lust, sex, drinking and raw language you will be drunk in love with “About Last Night.” Love happens fast for both couples followed in the movie. The movie begs the question, is it really love or just a long one night stand?
