Is About Last Night About “The Romantic Journey”?
“The Romantic Journey” is pretty predictable.
Warning: If you possess a deep and abiding aversion towards spoilers then don’t read on, but trust me, this movie is too predictable to spoil.
Typical Rom-Com
About Last Night is a typical modern day romantic comedy. If that’s something you’re interested in, then you should go see this movie. If you’re a Kevin Hart fan and/or you think Michael Ealy’s eyes are mesmerizing, then you should go see this movie. If you watch NBC’s Parenthood and noticed that Crosby’s wife (Joy Bryant) is in it, then you should go see this movie. If you want to see About Last Night’s version of “The Romantic Journey,” then you should go see this movie; however, you should not go see this movie.
Predictable
The movie’s structure is cute. A couple, Danny (Michael Ealy) and Debbie (Joy Bryant), meet at a bar thanks to their friends, Bernie (Kevin Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall). Danny and Debbie then begin a romantic journey beginning in spring, evolving over the summer, etc. You get the point; they instantly have chemistry by just looking at each other, and experience all those wonderful moments — including adopting a cute little dog — before the inevitable fight that puts them at odds. In the meantime, Bernie and Joan get right to it, where they have hot sex at the beginning, but the romance quickly implodes.
Hart and Hall Kept Me Awake
I knew this romcom would be rote, but I was still foolish enough to see it with some friends because I had nothing better to do. My expectations were pretty low going in, and if it weren’t for the supporting duo of Hart and Hall, this would have been a snooze fest. We all know Hart’s shtick by now and it shines under these circumstances; Hall brings the funny just as much as he does. It’s obvious their relationship is purely physical until it becomes something more; however, there is no evidence of this transition whatsoever. It just happens.
For the main couple (which I realize in retrospect should have been the supporting couple), there is no chemistry. I couldn’t be sad when they split up after getting into a pretty lame fight. They are both beautiful to look at and are mildly amusing in each other’s company so the movie just keeps chugging along.
The Ending
The ending doesn’t offer much in the way of resolution. Bernie and Joan move in together so they can get naked all over their apartment. Danny and Debbie sort of reconcile when Danny takes the dog for a walk one evening and runs into her. Once again, they look at each other and they feel something while continuing to walk the dog some more. That’s pretty much it. “The Romantic Journey” has reached it’s final (cinematic) destination; however, what if down the road Bernie and Joan have another fight and go their separate ways? The ending leaves too many questions unanswered, which will probably lead into a sequel if About Last Night is successful enough.
About Last Night
About Last Night doesn’t give its audience a good reason to believe that the future will bode well for these two couples. It ends on a happy note, but life will continue for these characters and if the past is any indication, these lovebirds will most likely repeat their mistakes. I know I sound like there is no hope for romance, but it’s the movie’s fault. I can see a situation where everything is fine, but there is no faith in that idea. We’re just supposed to believe that the problems that broke up these couples won’t reappear in the future. This is About Last Night’s version of “The Romantic Journey.”
