About Last Night 2014

Wesley Morris, Grantland: His film has the looseness of a movie made of outtakes -- but they mostly work, and they mostly involve Hall and Hart. They're the undercard that takes over the movie. Read more

Sara Stewart, New York Post: Pink improves on the 1986 Edward Zwick movie by wisely giving more screen time to less-strait-laced supporting characters. Read more

Dusty Somers, Seattle Times: The cultural dilution of David Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" continues with "About Last Night," an adaptation/remake with even less of the play's DNA than the dreadful original film. Read more

Peter Labuza, Variety: It balances any sentimentalism with an over-the-top vulgarity and a more open sexual energy than its predecessor. Read more

A.A. Dowd, AV Club: The dialogue has the flavor of 2014, even as these paramours simply borrow the dating wisdom -- and gender politics -- of their 1980s counterparts. Read more

Barbara VanDenburgh, Arizona Republic: Modern touches and an engaging cast make the recycled material feel fresh enough for a one-night stand at the multiplex. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: You could take your honey for Valentine's Day. But, really, a dozen fake roses and a card from CVS would be more personal. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: However uneven, the movie at least knows the cardinal rule: In a rom-com, there's no rom without the com. Hart and Hall give it their all. Read more

Adam Graham, Detroit News: It's a fresh update on an old story made relevant by a strong cast. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: On paper, About Last Night is a third-generation copy of David Mamet's 1974 stage play Sexual Perversity in Chicago -- but if anything... it comes closer to Mamet's rancorous vision of dueling hormones than the '80s screen version did. Read more

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: While this version lacks the subtlety of the original, it delivers enough raunchy humor to be far more entertaining. Read more

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times: Has little new to offer about romantic entanglements that audiences haven't seen countless times in movies and, especially, on TV sitcoms since 1986, not to mention before that. Read more

Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News: In a genre that avoids risk-taking, "About Last Night" is a breath of fresh air, a fun "date" movie that is as satisfying -- at least temporarily -- as a rebound boyfriend. Sometimes that's all you need in a movie. Read more

Rafer Guzman, Newsday: What's missing are the jolts of realism and flashes of insight that made the original so stealthily effective. Read more

Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger: It's a good set-up and contrast, and Pink keeps things moving, while finding times for a few in-jokes and some nice tunes on the soundtrack. Read more

Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News: Seduction is all in how it's played, as evidenced by the winning About Last Night. It's playful, stable and sexy, thanks to a cast that knows how to find the sweet spots. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: A sweet, silly, semi-raunchy Valentine's Day confection directed by Steve Pink. Read more

Michael Sragow, Orange County Register: Neither director Steve Pink nor screenwriter Leslye Headland put much effort into basic storytelling. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: About Last Night takes us through the Honeymoon Phase and into the difficult realm beyond. That's where couples have to work to stay together, and that's where this movie gains its strongest traction. Read more

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: Of all the date movies available for Valentine's weekend, About Last Night has the edge. That edge is mostly Kevin Hart. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: There's no critique going on, no point of view, no right and no wrong, no innocent or guilty party - and no dramatic stakes. Read more

Jessica Herndon, Associated Press: A reboot that is as satisfying as breakfast in bed the morning after an unexpected rendezvous. Read more

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Though it's based on a David Mamet play now 40 years old, "About Last Night" feels as fresh and vital as any romantic comedy hot off the script pile. Read more

Kevin C. Johnson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: The four leads are entirely engaging including the manic Hart, who seems to play variations of the same character in every movie. Read more

Geoff Pevere, Globe and Mail: The 2014 model of About Last Night... it beefs up the girl-side element of the story, incorporates considerably more frank sex talk, and generally provides its cast with a lot more meat to chew on and spit back out. Read more

Bruce Demara, Toronto Star: It's a romantic dramedy timed for release on Valentine's Day, a confection equal parts tart and sweet. Read more

Todd Gilchrist, TheWrap: "About Last Night" makes for a pretty terrific date movie... because it demands only a commitment to be entertained, but still manages to make you consider what it means to be in a relationship. Read more

Claudia Puig, USA Today: About Last Night is frisky fun made all the more entertaining because of the potent chemistry between its quartet of lead actors. Read more

Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice: Mostly, Hart aces his many showcase moments, not so much stealing the movie as occasionally letting the other actors possess it for a while. Read more

Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine/Vulture: The resulting film won't help you understand men or women any better, but it will make you laugh. And we all know that's the quickest way to the heart. Read more