About Last Night ...

R

Released Jul 2, 1986

1 hr. 53 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

63%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

60%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this adaptation of David Mamet's hit 1974 off-Broadway play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago," Danny (Rob Lowe) and Bernie (James Belushi) are a couple of single guys who live in the Windy City and struggle to balance their desire for sex with the possibility of love. When Danny meets cute Debbie (Demi Moore) at a bar the friends frequent in Chicago's luxurious Gold Coast, the two start a sexually charged courtship that leaves jangled nerves and questioned motives all around.

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Critics Consensus

About Last Night will perturb fans of the original stage play by sanding down its pricklier edges, but an amiable cast and sexual frankness make this a pleasantly grounded romantic comedy.

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Chris R

Besides Belushi's character seeming a little dated – or just over the top for comedic breaks – this film has such a fantastic script with so much honesty and depth to Rob Lowe and Demi Moore's characters. They're vulnerable, sexy, honest and intelligent while making all the mistakes you'd expect in late 20's relationships. You can't help but feel the emotions. It's so rare to find memorable rom-coms and this has to be one of the decades best.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/24

Full Review

Mike P

This just might be the best of the 80s rom-coms... About Last Night is a considerably toned down version of David Mamet's off-Broadway hit Sexual Perversity in Chicago, (which, if they had not edited out the dirty parts; this movie would have been cancelled at this point anyway; so it's just as well...) Rob Lowe and Demi Moore have never been better in this surprisingly gritty and substantial Brat Pack dramedy about two twentysomethings; Deborah Sullivan and Danny Martin; who flirt with domesticity... They move in together; much to the chagrin of their edgier best friends Jim Belushi, (Bernie), and Elizabeth Perkins, (Joan); who are both excellent as well... Bernie and Joan are resentful about the intrusion into their BFF relationships; by the presence of a significant other-- during a time of great hedonism in our country (late 70s and early 80s) when casual relationships and singles bars were the law of the land in the country; (for the young anyway); and SERIOUSNESS and COMMITTMENT in this arena was for the weirdos. So navigating a live-in relationship in this toxic environment of hedonism and hostile best friends was a tricky business... That's sort of the story here ... This sort of feels like an 80s version of Will and Grace; in many ways; where we've got the yuppie power couple at the center of the story; the two sexy -perfect role models; and then their wacky-stereotyped best friends sitting around the edges, cracking wise... We see the rise and fall of "Dullivan" (Daniel + Sullivan) here; the courtship; the moving-in; the fights; the negotiations about space and freedom and commitment; and then the eventual breakup... Followed by their inevitable rebound at the ending. Siskel called this "the great yuppie romantic comedy St. Elmo's Fire dreamed of being and failed...". He's right in some ways. St. Elmo's (which also starred Lowe and Moore in flashier roles) was more of a YA wish fullfilment type thing. About Last Night is definitely more grounded in realism; it's really BASED on actual feelings and remembrances of romances past; rather than dreams of the ultimate Hollywood yuppie fantasy. And while both movies were big hits; About Last Night was also a critical darling and St. Elmo's definitely was not. Lowe and Moore were a real-life couple prior to the production; and that helps inform the realism of the relationship and the movie. They have excellent chemistry; as do Perkins and Belushi. The script, which is an amalgam of Mamet's off Broadway show, and also Tim Kazarinsky's rewrite; is both funny and realistic; poignant amd pungent. The workmanlike direction by Edward Zwick is efficient without being obtrusive. Overall this is a very funny and moving romantic comedy; with great performances at the center. Verdict: THUMBS UP 👍 RECOMMENDED

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/17/23

Full Review

Jack t

About Last Night, an 80s classic comedy drama. Before Nothing in Common came out this film is even funnier. Hell, I even listen to the soundtrack as well. I only seen this movie once and I wish I would watch it again. The only thing that really got to me is all of the songs. I've have the soundtrack of it then I watched the movie. Check it out and see for yourself.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/23

Full Review

Kevin D

This is a classic mid 80s love story. Baby boomers this movie is well worth a look. Kick back have a drink and relive your 80s life.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/26/23

Full Review

steve d

The characters are just not likable enough to make me care.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie. I saw this movie for the first time when I was 18 and in my first "serious" relationship and I enjoyed it a lot. Watching it again 18 years later all I can say is wow! The film damn nearly perfectly depicts the realities of dating and coming of age and trying to mature into adults in a functioning relationship. Upon rewatching it all I can think about is a sequel answering what happened with Danny and Debbie? Do they have a family now? Were they good parents? Is the Diner still open? With all the sequels and remakes flying out of Hollywood, how do we not have this film yet? Rob and Demi could easily fall back into these roles as parents now looking at their millennial children and all they have to deal with growing up in the modern times.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

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Edward Zwick

Director

Rob Lowe

Danny

Demi Moore

Debbie

Jim Belushi

Bernie

Elizabeth Perkins

Joan

George Di Cenzo

Mr. Favio

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About Last Night: Official Clip - The Christmas Party

1:44

About Last Night: Official Clip - It's Done

2:32

About Last Night: Official Clip - I Gave You Love!

2:15

About Last Night: Official Clip - His Ex Calls

3:16

About Last Night: Official Clip - One Night Stand

1:56

About Last Night: Official Clip - Unhappy New Year's

2:23

About Last Night: Official Clip - Bad Hook Ups

2:03

About Last Night: Official Clip - I May Be Easy, But I'm Not Stupid

2:03

About Last Night: Official Clip - I Was Really Happy

2:18

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Sheila Benson

Los Angeles Times

Writers DeClue and Kazurinsky have created a recognizable geography for every age; you suspect that About Last Night will set off pangs of identification everywhere.

Feb 13, 2014

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Engaging performances from the two leads are complemented by a witty script with some great one-liners, and five-star support from James Belushi.

Rated: 3/5

Feb 13, 2014

Full Review

Carrie Rickey

Philadelphia Inquirer

Homework assignment: Is the decision to change both the title and the thrust of Mamet's play evidence of perversity or of perversion? Due tomorrow. Class dismissed.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 13, 2014

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...a smart, funny romantic comedy that benefits from its memorable dialogue and surfeit of compelling performances...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…may not have been a good adaptation of Mamet’s play, but transplanting some of his dialogue made this a hit, by dint of salty dialogue and a frankness about sex that set it apart from the pack even in the incessant rain of horniness that was the 80’s…

Rated: 3/5

Feb 10, 2024

Full Review

Joe Baltake

Philadelphia Daily News

Odious.

Feb 13, 2014

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this adaptation of David Mamet's hit 1974 off-Broadway play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago," Danny (Rob Lowe) and Bernie (James Belushi) are a couple of single guys who live in the Windy City and struggle to balance their desire for sex with the possibility of love. When Danny meets cute Debbie (Demi Moore) at a bar the friends frequent in Chicago's luxurious Gold Coast, the two start a sexually charged courtship that leaves jangled nerves and questioned motives all around.

Director: Edward Zwick
Executive Producer: Arnold Stiefel
Screenwriter: Tim Kazurinsky
Distributor: Columbia Tristar
Production Co: TriStar Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 1986, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $38.6M
Sound Mix: Surround

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