In the tradition of “American Graffiti” and “Dazed and Confused” comes the new ’80s comedy “Take Me Home Tonight.” While the movie is not quite as good as it’s predecessors it does capture the decade in a very funny way, much like the previously mentioned films did with the ’50s and ’70s. The film benefits from its hard R-rating, which allows it to use many cocaine references. The ’80s references would grow old quickly if wasn’t for the strong characters and performances in the film. The characters and their situations are so relatable that we are willing to go on the journey with them, even though we’ve seen these situations before. Ultimately, the movie possesses several laugh-out-loud moments and overall is definitely an entertaining film.
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In the film, the year is 1988 and Topher Grace plays recent college graduate Matt Franklin. Matt is extremely smart and went to MIT, but upon graduating moved back home with his parents and instead of pursing his career is underachieving as a video store clerk. Since high school Matt has been obsessed with Tori Fredreking (Teresa Palmer), a beautiful and successful college graduate that he thinks is way out of his league. One day, Tori walks into Matt’s video store and he decides that this is finally his moment. Matt pretends that he doesn’t work in the store and re-introduces himself to Tori as a successful college graduate working in a financial firm. They make plans to meet up later at his twin sister Wendy’s (Anna Faris) boyfriend’s (Chris Pratt) annual Labor Day party.
Meanwhile, Matt’s best friend, Barry (Dan Folger), has been fired from his job as a car salesman and isn’t taking it well. Barry convinces Matt to help him steal a car from his former-employers in order to take to the party so that Matt can impress Tori and continue his lie. Along the way Barry finds some hidden cocaine in the car, which leads him into all kinds of trouble, especially with an older woman and a man who likes to “watch.” Wendy confides in her brother that she has applied to graduate school in England but is reluctant to leave her townie boyfriend. Eventually, Matt begins to impress Tori but as he does his lies get bigger and bigger. As Tori and Matt begin to fall in love, the question remains: will she still love him when she finds out the truth? As the party, and the evening goes on, Matt must finally decide what he really wants from life and must perform some desperate measures in order to achieve his goals.
Topher Grace co-created the story and the film is definitely worth watching. The characters are well defined and strongly interpreted by the fine comedic actors in the movie. Grace is likable in the role and as funny and witty as ever. Teresa Palmer works well in her role as “the love interest” and is believable as the object of Grace’s affections. Faris and Pratt are good in their roles too, unfortunately they are somewhat shortchanged by the script as I would have liked to see them included more in the film. Actor Michael Biehn is great in his couple of scenes as Matt’s hard-ass, policeman father. But most of the funniest moments in the film belong to actor Dan Fogler. The man is on fire in this movie and in a very “Belushi” way makes the best of every scene he is in.
Much has been said about the film’s drug content, which is what delayed its initial release and I can see what had producers concerned. I for one found the “coke jokes” to be some of the funnier moments in the film, but at the same time I was bothered that there were ultimately no consequences to the character’s behavior. It gives a “pro-drug-abuse” message, which was probably not the filmmaker’s intent. I also thought Matt’s final resolution was a little anti-climatic and vague at best. The film probably could have benefited from a more experienced comedic director but the clever premise, funny moments, likable characters, and strong performances save the film. Editor Lee Haxell (“Meet The Fockers”) deserves credit for the movie’s great tone and comedic pace. In the end, Take Me Home Tonight is not that different from other “decade party” films that we’ve seen before but it is really, really funny and entertaining. If you love comedies, party movies and the ’80s, then you will like this film.
