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| Review by Benn Robbins |
About Last Night was a surprise treat.
As a remake of a pretty terrible 80’s “Brat Pack” film, based on a great 1970’s play written by David Mamet, this film has found it’s own voice and stride.
Taking what worked about the original and then transposing it to today, the story basically remains intact. It plays out much better than it’s 1980’s original.
Two best friends and co-workers, Bernie, played hilariously by Kevin Hart and Danny, played by the very suave Michael Ealy, search for love and romance in Los Angeles.
They find it in friend/roommates Joan and Debbie played perfectly by Regina Hall and Joy Bryant. Joan is a wild extroverted dentist and Debbie is a reserved, well-off business exec.
All seems well with Danny and Debbie’s relationship while Bernie and Joan self-destructs in a pretty spectacular way.
Debbie moves out of Joan’s apartment and into Danny’s. All goes well until life starts to become more and more mundane and the two begin to doubt the relationship.
Meanwhile Bernie and Joan can’t stand each other and are perfect for one another.
Manic, jealous and conniving they should just be together, if for no other reason then, to save two innocent people from having to deal with their crazy.
Kevin Hart is a funny, funny dude. This is a great platform for him. He really nails the Mamet-esque staccato, machine-gun dialogue. His sense of timing and delivery is amazing and I am slowly becoming a fan.
He is like a less annoying and over-bearing Chris Tucker, without the attitude.
About Last Night is above average romantic comedy fare and will be perfect for those couples looking for something to see this Valentine’s Day weekend. It is definitely good for a laugh and even succeeds in pulling on the heart strings a bit.
I was surprised how much I liked it and though it is not Sexual Perversity In Chicago, the play it was based on, it definitely captured the feel and heart of it much better than The 80’s version did.
