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Both feature a sensitive young man as their lead character, a regular Joe who has recently seen the end of a long-term relationship. Attempting to navigate through the party scene of single life - something that these characters are totally unequipped to deal with - our protagonists are guided by much more worldly cohorts who are old pros when it comes to chatting up the ladies and getting into the hottest clubs. Aside from these obvious plot similarities, there is also the matter of the wry sense of humor of both films. But really, beyond these broad brushstrokes, the two films are very different experiences.


One such difference is the relative anonymous status of LATE LAST NIGHT. The film, which stars Emilio Estevez and Steven Weber and was written and directed by Steven Brill, never saw theatrical release. Sterling Entertainment is a company that is skilled in releasing films to the home video market that were either unworthy of theatrical release or simply fell through the cracks and somehow escaped notice. Fortunately, LATE LAST NIGHT falls into the latter category, as it is actually a fairly enjoyable venture.


Estevez stars as Dan, a thirty-something Hollywood lawyer who has come to realize that all is not well with his marriage. After a heated argument, Dan leaves his wife in a fit of anger and winds up calling upon a long forgotten friend to help him forget his problems. This friend, Jeff (Weber), is the master when it comes to partying, and Dan believes this is what he needs to get through the night. As a matter of fact, the entire film takes place in the course of that one night.


At first, Jeff’s idea of fun seems like the perfect solution for Dan to shake off his woes. The two go clubbing and hook up with Angel (Leah Lail) and Tristan (Lisa Kelly, from THAT 70’s SHOW), a couple of party girls who are also simply out for a good time. But matters slowly begin to conspire against Dan to prevent him from achieving his perceived “escape” from his worries. After a wild turn of events, which grow more and more implausible as the film goes on, Dan finds himself in jail and under psychiatric examination by Catherine O’Hara (in a funny cameo). But of course, our man soon comes to realize that what he really wants is to make amends with his wife.


LATE LAST NIGHT is filled with all manners of wacky set pieces, from police raids to stolen cars to an impromptu (and dream-like) musical sequence led by Weber. And while many of these moments are chuckle-worthy, what really works here is the dynamic between Weber and Estevez. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that Jeff knows what Dan really wants and that he is guiding him to it in his own way. And director Brill creates an interesting subtext which implies that the Jeff character doesn’t really exist - that he is simply a manifestation of Dan’s subconscious. While this question about Jeff is never resolved one way or another, it does add an intriguing element to the film.

Yes, the picture becomes a bit tired in spots, and the tone is uneven as it swings between broad comedy and introspective character study. But it does work in the end thanks largely to its two stars and the script; though Brill seems unsure of where he is going at times, he ultimately brings Dan to a nice and satisfying ending.-- Scott Collura

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originally posted: 02/25/01 09:22:15
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