The raunchy and relatable comedy “About Last Night” promises its viewers will leave with a smile on their faces and stomach cramps from so much laughter. Released last weekend, the film is a remake of 1986’s eponymous movie. While the film does not have any shocking revelations about love in today’s world or much deep inner meaning, the hilarious performances and writing guarantee an enjoyable night out.
The story follows two sets of friends, Bernie (Kevin Hart, “Ride Along”) and Danny (Michael Ealy, “Almost Human”), and Joan (Regina Hall, “Scary Movie 4”) and Debbie (Joy Bryant, “Bobby”). Bernie and Joan endlessly bicker and get drunk together, always guaranteed to end up in bed with the other by closing time. Danny and Debbie are both brought to be witnesses to the uncomfortable relationship on a double date, where they discover a potential partner in the other. Over time, Danny and Debbie are swept up into a whirlwind romance, eventually moving in together and getting a dog. But as time continues to pass, the two begin to fight and bicker, aided and abetted by Bernie and Joan who have since broken up.
Even though the story is just like every romantic comedy you have ever seen, the phenomenal acting and writing sets “About Last Night” above the rest. While less inappropriate than “The Hangover,” this film gets just as many laughs from the audience through hilarious analogies, absurd situations and impeccable one-liners. One funny example is post-Joan and Bernie’s first hookup, as Joan tells Debbie about her night. She compares oral sex with the obscenely drunk Bernie to be like resurrecting a man in an ER, a completely and totally explicit analogy—but one that brought out laughter from the entire audience.
Hart, who also has an HBO comedy special and had a film released a few weeks ago, looks to be on top of the comedy franchise in 2014. As evidenced by some bloopers at the end of the film, many of the actors’ one-liners were ad-libbed; Hart gave all the best quotes throughout. Though both Bryant and Hall have not recently been in very popular films, “About Last Night” portrays their skill and comedic abilities, which will hopefully allow them to be in even more films guaranteed to have audiences rolling on the floor. Ealy was another excellent addition to the cast who used a subtler form of comedy than Hart, but still elicited quite a few laughs.
Only one problem remains with the film: Why did this movie have to be a remake? Could writers have come up with a new, innovative comedy storyline that would have invigorated the movie industry? Lately, most popular films have either been remakes or book adaptations. This has more to say about the film industry as a whole than simply that of “About Last Night.” In a rapidly evolving transition of media, films are easier to make if a foundation already exists, like with previous books or films. Additionally, companies are beginning to stake months or even years on the cost of a single film rather than spreading out a budget to allow for a creation of multiple films in the same period. Nowadays, new releases are limited to one to two films a week instead of the much larger number seen in the early 2000s.
Despite the aforementioned film industry flaws, “About Last Night” is a film for all college-aged students to enjoy, its raunchy comedy sure to speak truthfully to the nature of their own romantic endeavors. Whether you have a significant other to go with or a big group of friends, prepare for two hours of knee-slapping hilarity in one of the funniest films of early 2014.
