Review: Two Night Stand


After a bad break-up, Analeigh Tipton gets drunk one night and decides to go on an online dating website. From there she interacts with Miles Teller, and before long she’s at his apartment and having a care-free one-night stand with him. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a night of meaningless sex hits a bit of a roadblock, or in this case snowstorm that forces the duo into the title situation. Now they’re forced to talk and get to know one another. It doesn’t look like it’ll go very well, he’s a bit of a douchy stoner and she’s a bit of a snarky jerk. Jessica Szohr plays Tipton’s roommate, trying to get her out of the apartment for the night so that she can have sex with her boyfriend.

 

I don’t know if it’s been done before, but the basic idea of this 2014 romcom and its very title certainly seemed like an irresistible idea. Written by Mark Hammer (whose only other credit so far is an episode of “Skins”) and directed by debutant Max Nichols (son of Mike), it’s the kind of thing that 10-15 years ago probably would’ve starred Josh Hartnett and Shannyn Sossamon and would’ve been a lot worse. I’m not normally a fan of Miles Teller, but I think he and “America’s Next Top Model” cutie Analeigh Tipton will have a longer shelf life than those two flavours of the month. I know this isn’t Shakespeare, but Tipton (who stole all her few scenes in “Warm Bodies”) proves to be a pretty darn good model-turned-actress and has charisma you just can’t teach. She’s the perfect mixture of Meg Ryan, Mila Kunis and…Mmmm yeah. Yes, that’s a thing. Tipton should be arrested, charged, and convicted of the crime of extreme cuteness. Teller, for his part plays a more palatable character than usual. This guy has his flaws, but is basically well-meaning. Also, his alarm is very funny, I have to admit.

 

As for the film itself, it’s no world beater and has a distinct 2002-2005 vibe, but in terms of modern romantic comedies, it’s certainly more interesting and relatable than most. I thought the way the two characters meet was a bit unbelievable, but it’s where they go from there that is the clever part of the film. Here a one-night stand is forced to continue due to poor weather. It’s cute and clever, and the main characters are just right- annoying enough to get on each other’s’ nerves, but likeable enough for the audience to want to see them get together for good in the end. I could’ve done without the bong-smoking, but I’m aware that I am a buzzkill on drugs and alcohol. And parties. And fun.

 

The leads (particularly Tipton) are far more palatable as a romantic screen couple than those in contemporaries such as “No Strings Attached” (Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman) and “Celeste and Jesse Forever” (Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg). This is a small, clichéd film, but for its type it’s very watchable and likeable. Tipton is incandescent, Teller has been a lot worse.

 

Rating: B-

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