What makes a good romantic comedy? Several different ingredients. A smart script, chemistry between the actors, an blend of humor and emotion, and it needs enough weight to keep you invested. As I mentioned with previous reviews, 2 out of 3 films are simply cookie cutters made with the same formula. But that 3rd is the one that finds its way through the sifter to become something different.
In this remake of the classic Rob Lowe/Demi Moore movie, About Last Night follows the story of Bernie, Danny, Joan, and Debbie. As the result of a one night stand between Bernie and Joan, Danny and Debbie begin a relationship. Over the next year, the four grow as people and explore their feelings for each other.
It doesn't really sound like too much of a story, but what makes it more interesting than the ordinary comedy is how smart the screenplay is. It is magnificently real, combining human emotion with natural comedy as opposed to the outlandish comedy with jokes that feel written. There is a remarkable amount of charm and heart in this movie. The characters and story develop organically in a way that doesn't come across as forced or disjointed.
True to life, no relationship is without it's problems, yet when two people are meant to be together, they find a way to make it work because above all other feelings, they truly care for each other. Unlike most romantic comedies where its painfully obvious that the couples are meant to be together and it will pull out the stops to push the message to you, this comedy doesn't sugar coat the relationships into "perfected oblivion." Rather it subverts the tropes into something uncompromising yet true.
Kevin Hart remains one of the most entertaining people in the world. And while his performance in Ride Along may have been less than rounded, here his electricity works to his advantage, especially when combined with Regina Hall, the only person I've ever seen to match his energy and not be pushed aside. The back and forth between these two is wondrously entertaining without ever going over the top and feeling ridiculous. I would love to see these two paired together more often.
Michael Ealy is a perfectly charming antithesis to Kevin Hart. Where Hart is the bullhorn to the film, Ealy is the muffler that keeps the movie under control. And with Joy Bryant, the shy couple grounds the film and tells a brilliant and awe-inspiring love story. There is excellent chemistry all around in this film, but Ealy and Bryant are create some of the best i've ever seen.
If you and your significant other are looking for something romantic to watch, choose this. It's a deftly smart comedy and it rings so true.
B+
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