Take 81: One Night Only

Three years ago, the government has banned premarital sex. The citizens are all implanted with microslchips that monitor pleasure and sexual activity spikes. A This government decreed sexual climate has the effect you'd imagine: everyone is h*****. Fortunately there is an annual reprieve: every year, for One Night Only, the ban is lifted and it's time for everyone to get it in! Among the masses is Owen (Callum Turner- who I refer to as Mr. Dua Lipa) a pizza parlor owner and genuine nice guy who, just prior to the ban lift, is told by his girlfriend, Malika (Maya Hawke) that she plans to use the 12 hour window to sleep with someone else and who suggests he does the same. And then there's Allie, a single jingle singer who is looking for more than a one night stand but who won't rule anything out. In a city of millions, will the two like-minded people find each other?

After last week, this week was definitely the quiet AFTER the storm so it was kinda nice to opt into a quieter movie. I knew nothing going into this aside from the title which to its credit, does a lot of the heavy lifting. The details behind the plot were actually a nice surprise though. Interesting concept that I don’t think I’ve seen before. It’s kinda of like The Purge but with sex. Clever. I will also say the comedy hits HARD early on. There are some REALLY funny lines. “ Now it’s a badge of honor to be an incel.” Of when a 12 year old says “The only sitting that need to be done… is on my face!” Like, what? So many of these quick one-liners loaded heavily at the beginning. Definitely sets a tone.

And then there is the cast. Mr. Dua Lipa— er, Callum Turner is proving to be an ideal male lead. Prior to this, I saw him in Eterinty where he played a similiar good guy. He sales it and it and is VERY easy on this eyes. Monica Barbaro was new to me. She felt approachable and was equally likable. She also had a really nice singing voice. You do want good things for these people which is kinda crucial in this type of movie. Also of note is this cast is Molly Ringwald as Owen’s mother, Linda who is getting busy with LeVar Burton’s character who is simply referred to in the IMDB listing as Turner’s mom partner.” An unexpected pairing but very fun and funny. And Burton delivers another one of my favorite lines in the films when he tries to encourage Owen to when he brings over a character referred to as “Gorgeous Vivian” (Ella Loudon) when he says “She’s going to be getting some pipe tonight so you might as well lay some.”

I do like what may who call the “wokeness” of the casting. Race was never a mentioned or reacted to. People were just into each other and that was refreshing. I did find it strange that there weren’t more homosexual representation in the background. There are tons of attractive “randy” people, people making out left and right the hint of girl-on-guy-on-girl threesomes but only a hit and a couple of guys that were probably bisexual- I dunno. Seemed like a really easy way to add to the atmosphere.

I also thought that surprisingly little time was spent putting the two leads together. For most of the movie, it seemed like they were both hung up on or pursing others so when they finally do take notice of each other, it just seems like it almost comes out of no where. And the the joke density definitely does thin a bit as the movie goes on. I did enjoy it overall, but given such a fun premise and such a strong beginning, I wish the pace could have been better maintained.

It’s cute. Will absolutely give it that. And it’s a rom-com. Those typically aren’t known for being earth shattering. Again though, the premise was just so good…

A fun little watch. Definitely multiple viewing when it comes around to streaming. My score: 7.8 - I DID have laugh out loud a few times…

I will gladly give you more than one night only to leave a comment to let me know what you thought. And until next time…