About Last Night (2014) – Review

Where to watch About Last Night

2 Stars

In watching the 2014 remake of the 1986 film, which was in turn based on a 1977 stage play; two things become clear, Kevin Hart is a comedic fireplug and the acting in the original is vastly underrated. This is an extremely faithful adaptation of the source material, and it must be said that 1980s Brat-Pack alumni Demi Moore and Rob Lowe covered this material with far more conviction. They were working under the strong direction of Edward Zwick, this cast is handled by Steve Pink, the man responsible for Hot Tube Time Machine.

Bernie (Kevin Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall) have a brief fling during the course of which their respective best friends Danny (Michael Ealy) and Debbie (Joy Bryant) become romantically involved. Once Bernie and Joan have cooled and gone their separate ways, Danny and Debbie’s relationship becomes strained by the negative outside pressure from their friends and professional life. Leading to series of arguments, make-ups, a break-up, some infidelity and heartache before circling back to boy gets girl…again.

Recently I reviewed the 1986 film, with that experience so fresh in my mind it was difficult to not compare the two. On its own merit the 2014 version is cruder, more sexual and less believable than the 1986 version. Kevin Hart and Regina Hall steal the show, which exemplifies the pitfalls of this remake. Their characters are supporting players in the stage version and the original film, but this time the featured love affair is so dull and perfunctory that the role players are more interesting.

Director: Steve Pink
Stars: Kevin Hart, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall