Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sexy, funny adult romcom gives insight on love, friends.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
About Last Night
What's the Story?
A remake of a 1986 movie, itself based on the David Mamet play "Sexual Perversity in Chicago," finds Danny (Michael Ealy), a restaurant supply salesman, in an are-they-or-are-they-not-dating situation with Debbie (Joy Bryant), a business executive, whom he meets while playing wing-man to his best friend Bernie (Kevin Hart). Bernie has had a one-night stand with Joan (Regina Hall), who happens to be Debbie's roommate. Bernie's up for another hook-up with Joan, but Danny ends up going home with Debbie, too. They make an instant connection, but neither is sure if they're ready for a full-on committed relationship. They can't resist each other, either, so off they go. But are they moving too fast?
Is It Any Good?
Remakes are minefields, as they can blow up if not done right; fortunately, ABOUT LAST NIGHT lays no such trap. It's terrific. Start with four leads who bring their A-game. Michael Ealy is especially smooth, his Danny a believable modern guy who's flummoxed by modern-day relationships. Kevin Hart, as the mouthy, funny Bernie, risks going over the top sometimes, but never does, and he finds the most hilarious beats in every line. Ditto Regina Hall. If there's a weaker link among the four, it's Joy Bryant, and only because her character isn't as ostentatious or befuddled. And her chemistry with Ealy is there, though not sizzling, which makes their supposedly irresistible connection slightly less convincing.
There's not much that will shock audiences here, since the "sexual perversity" from the play on which this is based -- romantic confusion amid lots of hookups and miscommunication -- isn't all that perverse anymore. Still, most everyone can relate to the intricacies of navigating friendships -- especially when one is single and the other isn't -- and the ambivalence and ambiguity that permeates the first months, even the first year, of a relationship. About Last Night reminds us how awkward and tension-filled that can be, and how rewarding it often is.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the film's take on hooking up, relationships, and breakups? Does it add anything new to the conversation?
How does the movie portray friendship? What makes them great friendships (or not)? Do they trade on stereotypes of men and women?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 14, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : May 20, 2014
- Cast : Kevin Hart , Joy Bryant , Michael Ealy , Regina Hall
- Director : Steve Pink
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Screen Gems
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual content, language and brief drug use
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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