Main Cast: Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, James Belushi, Elizabeth Perkins, George DiCenzo
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 113 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
David Mamet's play Sexual Perversity in Chicago was adapted for the big screen by fellow Chicago citizen Tim Kazurinsky and became About Last Night... The film stars Rob Lowe as Danny and Demi Moore as Debbie. The pair meet and engage in a torrid sexual relationship, but then slowly negotiate if there is anything more between them. Lowe seeks advice from his loudmouthed friend Bernie (Chicago native James Belushi), whose offers little more than outrageous tales of his randy exploits. Debbie confides in her best friend Joan (Elizabeth Perkins), a bitter, single kindergarten teacher who has lost any hope of finding the right person on the dating scene. Although Danny and Debbie talk, they have trouble communicating. The film ends on a coda that suggests the pair are still unsure as to where their relationship may be headed. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Review
Based on David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago and filled with recognizable Windy City locales, About Last Night is perfectly fixed in place. It's just as definitively fixed in time thanks to the unmistakable mid-'80s fashions of leading lady Demi Moore and the flaccid, soft rock soundtrack, which featured leftovers from John Waite, Sheena Easton, Bob Seger, and John Oates. Despite the dated accoutrements, the story itself stands up as a well-exectued, if familiar, tale of relationship angst full of predictable but satisfying plot twists and occasionally zippy dialogue. Moore shows off the throaty sensuality and doe-eyed vulnerability that had already made her a star while displaying none of the avaricious careerism that would stifle her a decade later. Rob Lowe, meanwhile, works his pretty-boy looks and flashing-eyed charisma for all they're worth. Elizabeth Perkins is wasted as a standard-issue shrew, but Jim Belushi sinks his teeth into the role of a blowhard lothario -- a welcome break from the all-Brat Pack casts of such companion pieces as St. Elmo's Fire. About Last Night is a little plastic, like the decade that spawned it, but, like plastic, it's surprisingly resilient. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Michael Alldredge - Mother Malone; Robin Thomas - Steve Carlton; Lisa Aliff; Kevin Bourland - Ira; Marjorie Bransfeld - Gloria; Rosanna de Soto - Mrs. Lyons; Raffi Di Blasio - 1st Kid; Patricia Duff - Lesslie; Donna Gibbons - Alex; Joe V. Greco - Gus; Tim Kazurinsky - Colin; Catherine Keener - Cocktail Waitress; Ada Marks - Carmen; Megan Mullally - Pam; Robert Neiches - Gary; Sachi Parker - Carri; Kimberly Pistone - Girl at Bar; Dawn Arnemann - Ruthie; Rebeca Arthur - Crystal; Steven Eckholdt - Man in Bar; Dean Bastounes - Man in Joan's Apartment; Robert B. Durkin - Friend of Danny and Bernie; Lindy Huddleson - Lisa; Charlotte Mauer - Madge; Brie O'Banion - 4th Kid; Sheenika Smith - 2nd Kid; Heath Wagerman - 3rd Kid; Ray Wohl - Friend of Danny and Bernie
Credit
William Elliott - Art Director, E. Darrell Hallenbeck - Associate Producer, Terrence Emerson - Boom Operator, Dallas Dornan - Costume Designer, Deborah L. Scott - Costume Designer, Sherry Thompson - Costume Designer, Allan Wertheim - First Assistant Director, Edward Zwick - Director, Harry Keramidas - Editor, Arnold Stiefel - Executive Producer, Gail Ryan - Hair Styles, Ira S. Rosenstein - Location Manager, Paul Jacobsen - Lighting, Miles Goodman - Composer (Music Score), Bones Howe - Musical Direction/Supervision, Thom Bishop - Songwriter, Karla Bonoff - Songwriter, Scott Kempner - Songwriter, Michael Leeson - Songwriter, John Oates - Songwriter, Bob Seger - Songwriter, Tom Snow - Songwriter, John David Souther - Songwriter, Peter Vale - Songwriter, Brock Walsh - Songwriter, Cynthia Weil - Songwriter, Robert Ryan - Makeup, Dan Lerner - Camera Operator, Ida Random - Production Designer, Andrew Dintenfass - Cinematographer, Jason Brett - Producer, Stuart Oken - Producer, Jacques Nosco - Production Sound, Chris A. Butler - Set Designer, Beverli Eagan - Set Designer, Darrell D. Pritchett - Special Effects, Brian Tipton - Special Effects, Tim Kazurinsky - Screenwriter, Denise de Clue - Screenwriter, Kit Kalionzes - First Assistant Camera, Bruce Olander - Gaffer, Harold Rabuse - Key Grip, Curtis Roush - Music Editor, Lea Andrews - Production Coordinator, Constance G. Rowbotham - Production Coordinator, Arthur Shippee - Properties, Sonny P. Filippini - Script Supervisor, Donald P.H. Eaton - Second Assistant Director, R. Ronald Batzdorff - Still Photographer, Victoria Rose Sampson - Supervising Sound Editor, Michael Kohan - Assistant Properties, George Little - Costumes Supervisor, Julie Starr Dresner - Costumes Supervisor, Rebel Schunke - Dolly Grip, Alexandra Leviloff - First Assistant Editor, Jerry Trent - Foley Artist, William Carruth - Foley Editor, Frederick Hamm - Second Assistant Camera, Linda Folk - Second Assistant Editor, Paul Davis - Featured Music, David Mamet - Play Author, Evelyn Dutton - Foley Walker, Nina Saxon - Title Design
Danny and Bernard are two single men who live in Chicago. When Danny meets Debbie at Mother's, a bar in the Chicago Gold Coast, the two start a relationship from a one night stand. Danny's life then takes a different turn, and he has problems committing to his life with Debbie, who realizes his phobia with the help of her friend Joan. The film follows the couple from the beginning of their relationship to its end.
