breakdownthatfilm-blogspot-com
Romance comedies are all over the place now a days. Good or bad, they are one the most popular types of comedy films always being produced. So how does one production define itself from another? First, the source material from which it's taken has to be somewhat relevant to today and uncover various issues that go on in everyone's social lives during their youth. Then there has to be a cast of actors that can blend in with this age demographic. And from what it looks like, these specific parts to the film were taken care of nicely. It's still not perfect but it measures up in the end.Before the massive following of Kevin Hart turned this movie into one of his vehicles, this title had earlier beginnings going back to 1986 of the same name starring Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, James Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins. Of course that was a different time then too. The characters' names remain the same, but the actors are different. The story revolves around two homeboys and their girlfriends and how they try to live with each other's decisions and how they act with their significant other. All of this occurs when one day Bernie (Kevin Hart) introduces his girlfriend Joan (Regina Hall) and Debbie (Joy Bryant) to his introverted buddy Danny (Michael Ealy). The fireworks just never end between these two couples. Surprisingly, the screenplay doesn't rely on the usual romance-comedy clichés that everyone is familiar with.Writing for this production is Leslye Headland, who only had one other theatrical release credit prior to this, being Bachelorette (2012), which wasn't considered movie magic. Perhaps it's the source material of which she had to work with. I don't know but it's definitely is more polished here. The leads to this story do wonders too. Kevin Hart, although still loud and rambles his mouth off at least doesn't make the movie feel like it was all about him. This time he shared the camera with his co-star counterparts, especially with Regina Hall. Both exchange some funny lines together, of which provide most of the energy. And if Regina Hall and Kevin Hart are the energy, then Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant are the foil to them, displaying the romantic side of being with a significant other.Its good to have this contrast because it shows the fun you can have when it comes to being outside or inside the house. Along with this come the struggles of the outer forces that always seem to interfere with our desires and goals. Work, Ex-girlfriends, pets and babies. These particular topics are all addressed in a way that feels more relevant today than it ever has before. Even more remarkable is that certain topics like Ex's, is handled in a way that would seem cliché but ends up concluding in a different direction which is good. Also because this is an R rated comedy, the loves scenes will be more explicit than your regular tween PG-13 movie.In fact, some of the scenes are just downright goofy. This is fine though because for two reasons. First, this is a comedy, so if goofy is what it takes to be funny, so be it. Second is that sex can be funny. No one ever said it ever had to be serious or always passionate either. Aside from this though, the heavier emotional scenes are also handled with care. At some point, each character will see the error of their ways, which leads them to rethink their decision. All proper and required development to have likable and memorable characters. If there's anything pick on for this production its the audio and visual style to the movie. The music composed by Marcus Miller does fit the scenes they are played in, but do not stick out. Also the cinematography is rather repetitive. The sets do not seem to deviant from more than three places so the settings become too familiar too quickly. However, that's not much to be concerned with. Overall it's a good time.A romance-comedy that doesn't stick to the usual formula, viewers should get a kick out of this contemporary take on the struggles of people who catch strong feelings for each other. Plus, the story is supported by a humorous cast and likable characters.
Thomas West
Starring: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Joy Bryant, Paula Patton, and Christopher McDonaldAbout Last Night 6.5/10- Funniest movie this year so far. Without a doubt, Kevin Hart and Regina Hall are the main reason for it too. Those two have such great chemistry as comedians together, its amazing. Regina Hall is honestly like the female Kevin Hart in this movie. The plot is very generic to be honest considering it is a romantic comedy but more on the extreme side on the comedy which is the perfect fit for Kevin Hart. There are a few things that could have been fixed about this film, but overall it is an above average comedy. I would like to get the bad stuff out of the way first. There is always a few times in each romantic comedy where one of the people in the relationship gets mad at each other and it forces them to break up. This usually happens before they have changed and developed in the film and bettered themselves to fix the relationship and better themselves in the process. But, the only thing in About Last Night that I would change is make the relationship break up and getting back together different because the way that this process occurs in this movie is completely out of character and goes off the order in which they were suppose to better themselves. Basically for a good part of the movie, the director could not decide how he wanted his characters to act because a few of the actions that Michael Ealy and Kevin Hart made were not at all consistent with how they were portrayed in the beginning. This is just something in the movie that I noticed, but it did not in anyway stop me from enjoying the tons of laughs that About Last Night has to offer. Back to the good part, Kevin Hart and Regina Hall. They literally made it seem like they were dating in real life, it is rare that I see chemistry this good from two actors and my opinion has greatly increased on the acting ability of both of them. Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant did a solid job too, but they did not have any real hard challenges to face in the film and even though they were more of the main characters, Kevin Hart and Regina Hall definitely carried About Last Night the whole way. The only thing I wished they could have done differently with Kevin Hart was use him more because he definitely could have added even more to this film. The jokes that he does in this film you could definitely tell he made up himself because he is just that good. Best comedy in theaters right now, if you want an enjoyable movie experience with a ton of laughs, About Last Night is the only thing to watch. For more of my reviews, go to my website at reviewsbywest.com
Amari-Sali
In Kevin Hart's 2nd feature of the year, he reunited with Michael Ealy and Regina Hall to bring us a remake to a film that I honestly never saw. But, with Kevin Hart being somewhat consistent since he came out, I figured this would be a good film. However, despite my love for his work in Ride Along, I am beginning to think Kevin Hart fatigue is oncoming.Characters & StoryBernie (Kevin Hart) & Danny (Michael Ealy) are co-workers and best friends who end up dating Joan (Regina Hall) and her roommate/ friend Debbie (Joy Bryant) respectively. Bernie is Kevin Hart as he is in most of his movies, but vulgar, and Joan is similar to Hall's character Brenda Meeks, but a little more off balance. Together, they make for a dysfunctional couple who bring the majority of the laughs to the film.On the other end, you have Danny and Debbie, who both present almost an entirely different movie. Their story is much more traditional romance and has the usual rise, screw up/ break up, and then an odd method of getting back together. As for the characters themselves, complete opposites of Bernie and Joan. Danny is pretty much a smooth type of brother, and Debbie is pretty much fits what a college sweetheart would be.Altogether, the film feels like it presents two different type of love stories and tries to string them both together the best it can.PraiseIn all honesty, most of the praise for this film, to me, goes to Ealy and Bryant. Mind you, Hart and Hall are funny, and got me laughing about 22 or so times, about half of what Ride Along got, but their bickering is pretty much where most of that 22 count came from. Hart gets as nasty as possible when it comes to his comedy, and Hall throws it right back in his face. And, as the story summary said, they're highly dysfunctional, yet they seem almost more realistic than their counterparts in Ealy and Bryant at times.Going back to Ealy and Bryant, though their romance is very storybook, their chemistry and the way they play with one another in the film, really made me want to take notes, outside of what went on in the movie. Also, I think, even if you cut Hart and Hall, their relationship alone was compelling enough to stand on its own two legs. I mean, it has all the appeal of a, for the lack of a better term, urban romance novel, a la something out the Kimani Romance collection (I personally recommend Kim Shaw).CriticismBut, while it had its laughs, and a decent romance, I must admit I felt like neither Hall and Regina's characters, nor Ealy and Bryant's, got that developed. Not to say they were shallow, but between Danny's character speaking of a dream he had, without specifics, talking about a dad who screwed someone over, but we are never told how, and then him and Debbie getting back together, after she pretty much shut him out, it made it seem like their story was secondary to making sure Hart had enough screen time to make his audience happy. And the sad thing is, despite Hart being funny in the film, I do feel he needs a new shtick. Like Will Ferrell, and many other comedians out there, he is starting to seem like he is only capable of playing one type of persona, which has minor adjustments to the characters personality. And, to me, his "Big Little Man" routine is starting to get old. Plus, considering he has one more film this year, and TV shows in the works, outside of Real Husbands of Hollywood, I think he definitely needs something to show he is more than a one note actor trying to get all he can why the fire is hot.Overall: TV ViewingAll in all, I felt a bit disappointed when I walked out the theater. Not because it wasn't as funny as I hoped, or as romantic as I thought it could have been, but just because it just didn't seem like it was made to do anything but give you something to do for an hour and a half. Which there isn't anything wrong with, but considering this is a remake, much less the fact we will be drowning in Kevin Hart material, it just makes me wonder why there wasn't an effort to really make it so it had some real emotional depth, and not so easily capable of writing off. Which is which I say it is worth waiting until it comes out on TV. It isn't that hilarious, or makes you swoon to the point it is worth spending money on immediately. Especially because it is quite forgettable.
