Last Night

Last Night
Director: Massy Tadjedin
Starring: Keira Knightley, Sam Worthington, Eva Mendes and Guillaume Canet

Last Night is a relationship drama that delves into the murky world of infidelity and how it affects relationships. Like the 2004 dramas, Mike Nichol's so-so Closer and other films of the same ilk, the movie features four stars in wordy discussions that involve the protagonists debating the current malaise in their personal life at length. First-time director Massy Tadjedin adds little new to the debate - in these dramas cheating is always frowned upon - however she does elicit some fine performances from her leads and creates realistic situations that offer an insight into the human psyche, especially feelings of frustration. Knightley and Worthington play Joanna and Michael, college sweethearts now slightly bored with each other after four years of marriage living in their lush Manhattan apartment. Joanna suspects her husband of harbouring feelings for his beautiful colleague Laura (Mendes) and the argument is brought to a head the day before he has to go on an overnight work trip with her. As soon as they leave Joanna bumps into Alex (Canet), an old flame with a twinkle in his eye and a crush on her. That night the married couple go out on dates without each other and Tadjedin jumps between the two evenings ramping up the will-they-won't-they tension with each cut. Joanna and Alex's date is the more interesting, if only because of a brilliant dinner scene involving the underused character actor Griffin Dunne. But as with many dates, this tale promises more than it ultimately delivers, despite some thrills.

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