TWO NIGHT STAND (2014)

Directed By: Max Nichols 
Written By: Mark Hammer 
Cinematography By: Bobby Bukowski 
Editor: Matt Garner 


Cast: Analeigh Tipton, Miles Teller, Jessica Szohr, Scott Mescudi, Michael Showalter


After an extremely regrettable one night stand, two strangers wake up to find themselves snowed in after sleeping through a blizzard that put all of Manhattan on ice. They're now trapped together in a tiny apartment, forced to get to know each other way more than any one night stand should.

This two hander could have easily been a play of course it's more visual to keep the film moving. Though I would hope as a play it would be more insightful and deeper. As the film is very light so light it is hard to take any of it seriously. As it's tones change a bit too much at times. Being serious then just too wacky.

Though it is short it still feels overlong as we watch the two leads get to know one another and slowly fall for each other. The film plays them deservedly as awkward and stand-offish then as they get to know one another become warm. The problem is that while believable the film never conjures any sparks or any heat except in one scene where there is a seduction scene where she slowly undresses after taking tips from him and a clean sex scene while he acts on sex tips from her. That is the only time the film becomes truly alive. It is also the only time this film with a more sexual set-up even data to become a bit erotic.

I understand it has to go through the paces to work up to certain scenes and emotions. It just never feels real. It comes across as artificial and while The script produces hi-jinks to keep them busy and offer comedic scenes. they feel more like filler rather than face emotions or the claustrophobic reality of the situation.

The actors are likeable enough even though again we spend time only with two of them throughout almost exclusively.

The only real reason to watch this film is Analeigh Tipton, as this is more a showcase for her talents as the camera obviously loves her and gives her a chance to showcase herself in a lead role and offers her versatility rather than the smaller and supporting roles she has had before. I only wish the script was better as it serves her well. She is a revelation who has shown how good she could be in films such as CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE. I just hope soon she gets better material. Luckily for miles teller we have seen him be better in better films so this film doesn't really scar his resume. He does what is required of him in this romantic comedy.

This film isn't bad it's just that most of us have seen it before. You never know this might be a revelatory relationship film for a new generation who haven't discovered these types of films. Though throughout this predictable film, Each new scene brings a familiar thought.

While the film presents an interesting quandary of having two characters who have been physically intimate though practically strangers learn to be emotionally intimate amongst other things. Though really more forced to overall. It would have been nice to explore a bit more or at least not leave it as subtle.

What also hurts the film is while a good set-up it tries to play itself as smarter and classier then the material it presents. I am not saying the film needs to go low class. It just has a minor pretentious air about it for it's subject matter and could have been a bit more fun and loose with itself. Watching it it feels like the buttoned up wallflower that you start to see loosening up before the end of the party but never get the full transformation because by that time it's too late and the party is almost over.

Grade: C