Suffering from insomnia and looking for something to watch in the dead hours of the night, I stopped when the satellite guide told me 'That Night' would be on. I wanted to see it because I like Juliette Lewis but had never got around to renting this movie. I got the strongest sense of deja vu when young 'Alice' showed up on screen for the first time and that clinched it, so I settled in to watch. Set in 1961, this is a better than average execution of an entirely cliched plot. Well-off, popular good girl (Sheryl) meets and falls in love with a sensitive bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks (Rick), everyone else disapproves, she gets pregnant, etc. The couple's only ally is Alice, a young girl who lives across the street from Sheryl. She is a lonely soul- tormented by her "friends", ignored by her father, talked down to by her mother, and obssessed with the idea of a love that will transcend her own, rather unhappy existence. She escapes through Sheryl, whom she idealizes- and who she ultimately is able to help in very important ways. This movie wouldn't really work if not for a nice period feel, very likable, sympathetic main characters and strong performances from the actors playing them. Juliette is as compelling as ever and young Eliza Dushku (who was giving me deja vu, I realized when I saw her name in the credits, because I had seen 'Bring It On' only two days before!) is terrific in her very first role as story-teller Alice. 'That Night' is by no means a great movie, but it is a good one, and well worth seeing.
34 Reviews
Hey now.
=G=6 February 2002
In her screen debut, a pre-vamp Dushku plays Alice, an 11ish girl who makes friends with an older girl on the other side of both puberty and the street of her Long Island neighborhood. "That Night" is a sweet little slice-of-life flick which tells of the lessons about growing up which Alice learns through her friendship with neighbor Sheryl (Lewis) and her boyfriend (Howell). A journeyman flick but a slow starter worth the wait, "That Night" is a charmer with a 50's flavor, some solid performances, an okay screenplay, and will be most enjoyed by teens and more mature adults.
"I'm just a girl who lived across the street from you...and I don't now!"
moonspinner5513 June 2001
Touching, sensitive film about childhood, and a youngster's need to be "saved" from her own age of innocence. Juliette Lewis is fantastic as vampy young woman in 1960s suburbia whose affair with a greasy-haired rebel becomes the focal point for a little girl who lives across the street. The film's dreamy/quirky tone is reminiscent of "Men Don't Leave", and its depiction of a big-hearted kid trying to connect with a world much larger than she is both nostalgic and sympathetic. Filled with small but wonderful little touches, thoughtful nuances and a quiet, sweet ending. Well worth-seeing. This may be the best performance yet from Juliette Lewis--she's flawless. **1/2 from ****
A Wonderful Movie
Darkest_Rose27 December 2002
That Night is a wonderful movie about growing up and discovering yourself. Alice( Eliza Dushku), idolizes her neighbour Sheryl (Julliete Lewis). Alice spends all of her time spying on Sheryl and imagining what it would be like to be her. Due to a incident, Alice and Sheryl become friends and now Alice will do anything to try and help Sheryl and her boyfriend Rick stay together. This is a great movie and everytime I watch it, it puts me in a good mood. It also has a great soundtrack. I would give That Night 9/10
Overall, it's a pretty good film
horrorflicklover5 March 2013
I first saw That Night in sixth or seventh grade, as I recall. Two terrible, terrible years in my life. This movie though, it really stuck out to me. Maybe it was solely because of the time period in which it was set in. I imagine had it taken place in contemporary times, I wouldn't have been quite as interested. Nonetheless, I thought this was a pretty good movie. Not the strongest writing. But it's good in some areas, and makes up for the rest with how it handles such confusion and emotions that we can all relate to.
The protagonist is Alice, a 10-year old girl who narrates the story of the summer of 1961. It was one of the most influential summers of her life. Alice is awestruck by her across the street neighbor Sheryl, a 17-year old girl who could best be defined as a free spirit. Alice adores everything about Sheryl, she's totally mesmerized by her. Enter Rick, a local troubled youth who Alice would turn to in hard times. Rick and Sheryl would begin a romance, and Alice would become friends with both of them. However, the neighborhood parents disapprove of Rick, and problems arise when Sheryl refuses to stop seeing him. Alice, perhaps out of her admiration of the two of them, actively pursues keeping the couple in tact. No matter what it takes.
That Night is a pretty solid coming-of-age film. Alice is torn between two worlds. That of the tumultuous relationship between her own friends (typical discussions about sex, body issues, etc) and that of the world of Sheryl and Rick. Alice, who can't understand her friends (or how young boys and girls treat each other on the verge of their sexual awakenings), romanticizes Sheryl and Rick's situation. However, she may not understand that world as well as she thinks either.
Alice is a very relateable character. But not just for women. I think most of us can understand how it was when we were younger, and we thought that we had simple solutions to complicated problems. At whatever point that it was when we decided that we were "grown-ups" trapped in children's bodies. And let's not forget of course, how we always wanted to preserve the fairy tale. I think this film captures all of these points very well.
However, this film does have it's problems. The biggest is that there are certain sub-plots which aren't covered enough. Another is that the dialog is lacking in certain areas as well. This is capped off with the frustration that this movie is only about 90 minutes long. Had they granted us an additional 30 minutes at least (to round out two full hours), we could have had better dialog between Alice and her father, and had a better understanding of the frustration she felt with him. We could have had more time spent on Alice and her school-age friends, and the confusion and disenchantment she felt with them. And perhaps we also could have been given more time with Sheryl and her mother, and had a stronger understanding for her mother's disliking of Rick. The plot can feel rather contrived at times, because the whole film feels rushed. To my understanding, the book was more detailed. So I don't understand why they would make a film that was a little too short to really give us stronger writing.
So I give this movie about a 7. Maybe that's being generous. However, the movie really shines in the areas in which it's good. It's worth a viewing if you're up for a coming-of-age or romantic drama set in the golden age of contemporary American society.
The protagonist is Alice, a 10-year old girl who narrates the story of the summer of 1961. It was one of the most influential summers of her life. Alice is awestruck by her across the street neighbor Sheryl, a 17-year old girl who could best be defined as a free spirit. Alice adores everything about Sheryl, she's totally mesmerized by her. Enter Rick, a local troubled youth who Alice would turn to in hard times. Rick and Sheryl would begin a romance, and Alice would become friends with both of them. However, the neighborhood parents disapprove of Rick, and problems arise when Sheryl refuses to stop seeing him. Alice, perhaps out of her admiration of the two of them, actively pursues keeping the couple in tact. No matter what it takes.
That Night is a pretty solid coming-of-age film. Alice is torn between two worlds. That of the tumultuous relationship between her own friends (typical discussions about sex, body issues, etc) and that of the world of Sheryl and Rick. Alice, who can't understand her friends (or how young boys and girls treat each other on the verge of their sexual awakenings), romanticizes Sheryl and Rick's situation. However, she may not understand that world as well as she thinks either.
Alice is a very relateable character. But not just for women. I think most of us can understand how it was when we were younger, and we thought that we had simple solutions to complicated problems. At whatever point that it was when we decided that we were "grown-ups" trapped in children's bodies. And let's not forget of course, how we always wanted to preserve the fairy tale. I think this film captures all of these points very well.
However, this film does have it's problems. The biggest is that there are certain sub-plots which aren't covered enough. Another is that the dialog is lacking in certain areas as well. This is capped off with the frustration that this movie is only about 90 minutes long. Had they granted us an additional 30 minutes at least (to round out two full hours), we could have had better dialog between Alice and her father, and had a better understanding of the frustration she felt with him. We could have had more time spent on Alice and her school-age friends, and the confusion and disenchantment she felt with them. And perhaps we also could have been given more time with Sheryl and her mother, and had a stronger understanding for her mother's disliking of Rick. The plot can feel rather contrived at times, because the whole film feels rushed. To my understanding, the book was more detailed. So I don't understand why they would make a film that was a little too short to really give us stronger writing.
So I give this movie about a 7. Maybe that's being generous. However, the movie really shines in the areas in which it's good. It's worth a viewing if you're up for a coming-of-age or romantic drama set in the golden age of contemporary American society.
A sweet and sometimes poignant coming-of-age film
fredrikgunerius6 August 2023
A sweet and sometimes poignant coming-of-age film set in Long Island in 1961. Craig Bolotin, who directed and adapted Alice McDermott's novel, is able to give a balanced portrait of the advantages and disadvantage of growing up in this era, such as the blessing vs. Detriment of naiveté, the kids' freedom to roam vs. Lack of things to do. And not least, how pre-contraception era upbringing and parenting was so fundamentally different, not really because of differing moral values, but out of pragmatism. Little Eliza Dushku looks a little too young for her part, but there is a purity and authenticity in her infatuation and friendship with Juliette Lewis, who is well cast as the semi-rebelling teenage girl next door.
Cute and Charming; a little thin on plot.
silverpinkcity25 October 2022
I was flipping through Hulu and found this "coming of age" movie made in the early 90's about the early 60's, and thought, why not? I haven't been too thrilled with a lot of the current stuff being churned out, after all. And what do you know, it wasn't too bad. Sort of cute...charming...a little funny...with a great sound-track and wonderful "period piece" feel. (The clothes were fantastic, too...way better than Mad Men fashion)!
The movie is narrated by a cute, very believable ten or eleven year old girl named Alice (Ally, played by Duskhu who does an amazing job) from Long Island on the verge of discovering her own place in the world when it comes to boys and sex and all that usual "coming of age" fodder. After all, her friends talk about that sort of stuff all the time... often putting Alice down for being so clueless about everything.
Enter Sheryl (Juliette Lewis) the seventeen year old flirty girl who lives next door to Alice. Evidently, she's got all this sex and boys and attraction stuff locked down with her endless parade of dates, flirty moves, captivating perfume, etc...
Alice secretly watches Sheryl from her bedroom window and wishes she could be her. She emulates Sheryl's scarves from Woolworth's...the music Sheryl listens to...her perfume. Needless to say, she is obsessed with her seventeen year old neighbor.
Then we have Sheryl's new boyfriend (played by C. Thomas Howell)...a guy with a shadowy past (wrong side of the tracks, and all that) who works (where else?) at the bowling alley. Sheryl and her new boyfriend are "in love" despite Sheryl's mom not approving of this relationship. Alice, of course, is infatuated with the union...believing in "true love". She ends up befriending Sheryl...helping to keep her "secrets" about the relationship, and growing more and more obsessed with, not only the girl next door, but the girl next door's love life with her bowling alley boyfriend.
Okay, at this point, you can probably figure out that this movie is cliche with a capital "C." And yes...you are right. It is an incredibly cliche and contrived plot...not really an ounce of originality in it, aside from the young girl next door being obsessed with it all and narrating about it...including her own feelings about life and love (along with her own parents apparent lack of love life), etc. But this is what saves the movie; this unique element of the young girl narrating what is, otherwise, a very thin-plotted cliche of a story.
Aside from all that, the movie is quite enjoyable to watch. It's almost refreshing, with all the newer in-your-face garbage that's out nowadays. But don't expect anything really deep, or any sort of wow-like twist at the end. It's just a "slice of life," plain and simple. With some good period music and decent acting. And charm. Charm which is hard to come by these days, so yea...that's worth something. I definitely do recommend the movie...
I only gave the movie a seven, though, because I think it all seems a little too contrived sometimes and there should have been some more depth. Like...why was Sheryl's mom so upset her daughter was seeing this guy? Honestly, he didn't seem like such a bad guy, so it didn't make a lot of sense.
And why does Alice keep hanging out with these kids (the ones who are her own age) who aren't very nice to her? One boy even forces a frog into her mouth at a birthday party! So that didn't seem entirely genuine, but oh well.. (All I could wonder was, did the actress really have that frog in her mouth)? And here's something else I wondered: Why don't these girls have any hobbies or interests (painting, music, sports) aside from sex and boys?
The movie is narrated by a cute, very believable ten or eleven year old girl named Alice (Ally, played by Duskhu who does an amazing job) from Long Island on the verge of discovering her own place in the world when it comes to boys and sex and all that usual "coming of age" fodder. After all, her friends talk about that sort of stuff all the time... often putting Alice down for being so clueless about everything.
Enter Sheryl (Juliette Lewis) the seventeen year old flirty girl who lives next door to Alice. Evidently, she's got all this sex and boys and attraction stuff locked down with her endless parade of dates, flirty moves, captivating perfume, etc...
Alice secretly watches Sheryl from her bedroom window and wishes she could be her. She emulates Sheryl's scarves from Woolworth's...the music Sheryl listens to...her perfume. Needless to say, she is obsessed with her seventeen year old neighbor.
Then we have Sheryl's new boyfriend (played by C. Thomas Howell)...a guy with a shadowy past (wrong side of the tracks, and all that) who works (where else?) at the bowling alley. Sheryl and her new boyfriend are "in love" despite Sheryl's mom not approving of this relationship. Alice, of course, is infatuated with the union...believing in "true love". She ends up befriending Sheryl...helping to keep her "secrets" about the relationship, and growing more and more obsessed with, not only the girl next door, but the girl next door's love life with her bowling alley boyfriend.
Okay, at this point, you can probably figure out that this movie is cliche with a capital "C." And yes...you are right. It is an incredibly cliche and contrived plot...not really an ounce of originality in it, aside from the young girl next door being obsessed with it all and narrating about it...including her own feelings about life and love (along with her own parents apparent lack of love life), etc. But this is what saves the movie; this unique element of the young girl narrating what is, otherwise, a very thin-plotted cliche of a story.
Aside from all that, the movie is quite enjoyable to watch. It's almost refreshing, with all the newer in-your-face garbage that's out nowadays. But don't expect anything really deep, or any sort of wow-like twist at the end. It's just a "slice of life," plain and simple. With some good period music and decent acting. And charm. Charm which is hard to come by these days, so yea...that's worth something. I definitely do recommend the movie...
I only gave the movie a seven, though, because I think it all seems a little too contrived sometimes and there should have been some more depth. Like...why was Sheryl's mom so upset her daughter was seeing this guy? Honestly, he didn't seem like such a bad guy, so it didn't make a lot of sense.
And why does Alice keep hanging out with these kids (the ones who are her own age) who aren't very nice to her? One boy even forces a frog into her mouth at a birthday party! So that didn't seem entirely genuine, but oh well.. (All I could wonder was, did the actress really have that frog in her mouth)? And here's something else I wondered: Why don't these girls have any hobbies or interests (painting, music, sports) aside from sex and boys?
one of the best
magera200615 July 2006
this is one of the best movies i have ever seen. i have watched it for over 12 years and i never get tired of it. c Thomas Howell is gorgeous and Juliette lewis is amazing in it. i would recommend everyone take the time to see it. well worth watching!!!! it will make you laugh and cry but will leave you with a feeling of happiness at the end. not a predictable ending. it is far better than recent girlie movies out and i would recommend it for men as well. it really is up there with my other favourites like dirty dancing, flash dance and Bridget Jones diary. not much more i can really say about this except if you haven't yet seen this then go and try and rent a copy today. i promise you won't be disappointed.
Not A Night To Remember
wrightiswright25 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
A pre-teen Elisha Dushku charms as Alice, a girl curious about sex and growing up. She befriends her neighbour Sheryl (Juliette Lewis) a somewhat amorous 17 year old, and together they start a friendship that will affect both forever... especially as far as Sheryl's on-off relationship with her boyfriend Rick is concerned (C. Thomas Howell).
While the acting in 'That Night' is fine and the period-specific soundtrack is good, the plot lacks the spark necessary for it to be anything more than average. When things do start to happen in the latter half they feel unconvincingly overblown, and Sheryl's relationship with both Rick and Alice is not well-written enough to make us believe there's much of a personal connection there.
I was also saddened at the end to see Alice return to one of the horrible twins who forced a frog in her mouth at their birthday party, hinting at a future relationship with him. C'mon girl, you can do better than THAT loser! 5/10
While the acting in 'That Night' is fine and the period-specific soundtrack is good, the plot lacks the spark necessary for it to be anything more than average. When things do start to happen in the latter half they feel unconvincingly overblown, and Sheryl's relationship with both Rick and Alice is not well-written enough to make us believe there's much of a personal connection there.
I was also saddened at the end to see Alice return to one of the horrible twins who forced a frog in her mouth at their birthday party, hinting at a future relationship with him. C'mon girl, you can do better than THAT loser! 5/10
Love this movie!!
lilly209912 May 2005
I love this movie so much. Its in my top three of my favorite movies of all time. I remember the first time I saw it. I was fumbling around late at night trying to find something to watch. Then there it was. A cute little movie of a young girl discovering things about the world. I was like..hmmm well maybe. So I watched it. Fell in love! Not only was it one of the best love stories I had seen in awhile, but its was made in a fashion that was real. A bit taboo for the time its set in.. but thats what makes it really great. If you have never seen this movie.. I definitely suggest you buy it.. rent it.. borrow it from someone.. Whatever. Just see it. Its so cute. And the music isn't bad either.. Its a great movie and I had a great time watching it. Thanks.. Lilly
Beautiful story about life and love
Sweetigal859 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of my favorite 90s movies which takes place in 1961 on Long Island. The acting is phenomenal and it is a very heart warming tale which shows how difficult and wonderful life can be, no matter what age you are.
Elisa Dushku is absolutely adorable as Ali, a young tween who silently admires her 17 year old neighbor Sheryl. Ali is obviously emotionally neglected by her parents and they are too caught up in their own problems and stresses to notice how much she needs their affection and attention. She is also surrounded by nothing but imbecile "friends" whom she is infinitely more mature than. Feeling all alone in the world, she plunges herself into Sheryl and Rick's world and is determined to get them their happy ending so that she can vicariously have one for herself too.
It is very interesting and poetic that on the night Sheryl loses her beloved father, she also meets her soulmate, Rick. The chemistry between them is undeniable and he clearly cares for her deeply despite what all the naysayers of the town claim. I believe Sheryl delved into a physical relationship with him so quickly because she was feeling so empty inside because of her father's death. I do not think Rick took advantage of her though, he even gave her time to grieve before coming to see her again after she returned the bowling shoes and made her sad record.
Usually I loathe "accidental pregnancy" plots because they are so overdone and absurd to me, but I excuse it because this is supposed to be 1961 in a religious town and involves teenagers. Birth control was not as readily available and you had to be super secretive and essentially careless if you were involved in an intimate relationship. What's interesting to me is that no one thought to help Sheryl and Rick, they only made things worse for them. Sheryl's mother had that huge house and surely must have gotten money from her husband's death, she couldn't have let Rick and the baby move in until the struggling couple got on their feet? Instead she pushed her daughter away, lost any chance of getting to know the man she loved and any relationship with her own grandchild.
The scene on the lawn when Rick is humbly begging the mother to let him see Sheryl was very emotional for me. It shows how clueless and petty adults are and Ali is able to see this clearly. It was Sheryl's mother who was wrong, he does not lay a hand on her and ends up getting bashed on the head with a shovel. All he was trying to do was see the girl he loved. They all treated Sheryl far worse than they claimed he was.
This movie does not get a perfect rating for me because I also loathe ambiguous endings. Ali says she got a post card from Sheryl and Rick stating that "things were going well so far." I personally like to believe that Sheryl and Rick make it, that they truly were love at first sight lovers and that nothing can change that. And I think Ali believes it too.
I am so glad that her parents learned their lesson in the end. I know Ali running away was wrong, but it took something drastic for her parents to finally open their eyes and see how much she needed them. They were so concerned with having another baby and getting through the drudges of every day life that they didn't see that happiness as a family was right there in front of them. The scene where Ali tries to get her father to hug her when he gets off the train when she sees Sheryl's dad fussing over her is so heartbreaking. It is so beautiful that Ali's father emotionally embraces her in the end rather than beating her or screaming at her for what she did.
Ali catching the firefly in the end is very symbolic, because it shows that even if you don't know if you will be able to catch something, it is still worth chasing it, just to have something beautiful within your grasp if only for a moment.
Elisa Dushku is absolutely adorable as Ali, a young tween who silently admires her 17 year old neighbor Sheryl. Ali is obviously emotionally neglected by her parents and they are too caught up in their own problems and stresses to notice how much she needs their affection and attention. She is also surrounded by nothing but imbecile "friends" whom she is infinitely more mature than. Feeling all alone in the world, she plunges herself into Sheryl and Rick's world and is determined to get them their happy ending so that she can vicariously have one for herself too.
It is very interesting and poetic that on the night Sheryl loses her beloved father, she also meets her soulmate, Rick. The chemistry between them is undeniable and he clearly cares for her deeply despite what all the naysayers of the town claim. I believe Sheryl delved into a physical relationship with him so quickly because she was feeling so empty inside because of her father's death. I do not think Rick took advantage of her though, he even gave her time to grieve before coming to see her again after she returned the bowling shoes and made her sad record.
Usually I loathe "accidental pregnancy" plots because they are so overdone and absurd to me, but I excuse it because this is supposed to be 1961 in a religious town and involves teenagers. Birth control was not as readily available and you had to be super secretive and essentially careless if you were involved in an intimate relationship. What's interesting to me is that no one thought to help Sheryl and Rick, they only made things worse for them. Sheryl's mother had that huge house and surely must have gotten money from her husband's death, she couldn't have let Rick and the baby move in until the struggling couple got on their feet? Instead she pushed her daughter away, lost any chance of getting to know the man she loved and any relationship with her own grandchild.
The scene on the lawn when Rick is humbly begging the mother to let him see Sheryl was very emotional for me. It shows how clueless and petty adults are and Ali is able to see this clearly. It was Sheryl's mother who was wrong, he does not lay a hand on her and ends up getting bashed on the head with a shovel. All he was trying to do was see the girl he loved. They all treated Sheryl far worse than they claimed he was.
This movie does not get a perfect rating for me because I also loathe ambiguous endings. Ali says she got a post card from Sheryl and Rick stating that "things were going well so far." I personally like to believe that Sheryl and Rick make it, that they truly were love at first sight lovers and that nothing can change that. And I think Ali believes it too.
I am so glad that her parents learned their lesson in the end. I know Ali running away was wrong, but it took something drastic for her parents to finally open their eyes and see how much she needed them. They were so concerned with having another baby and getting through the drudges of every day life that they didn't see that happiness as a family was right there in front of them. The scene where Ali tries to get her father to hug her when he gets off the train when she sees Sheryl's dad fussing over her is so heartbreaking. It is so beautiful that Ali's father emotionally embraces her in the end rather than beating her or screaming at her for what she did.
Ali catching the firefly in the end is very symbolic, because it shows that even if you don't know if you will be able to catch something, it is still worth chasing it, just to have something beautiful within your grasp if only for a moment.
A Must See Movie- simply brilliant
Dave-4455 May 1999
There are hundreds if not thousands of these sorts of films, i.e. coming of age sort of things, yet this one was truly brilliant. I've seen hundreds of movies, and i do not pretend to be a good movie critic, however i like very few films, and i especially hate films where the main characters are in love, but her parents don't like him... You know the sort, yet this film is just brilliant. I can't really describe why, it just is, i loved it,i hope you do to, there isn't anything really special about it, Juliette Lewis is of course really good, and so is the little girl Alice. Basically- an excellent movie- a must see
Best girl's past movie
Yuko-427 December 1998
If you are a little girl, a wandering girl, or a nearly giving up woman, watch this movie. It will give you hope. I can't recall any movies about girls suffering their childhood sentimentalism and then growing up after a heart aching adventure. But we all know that these things are not only for boys. Howell is unresistable as he dances with 12 year old Eliza (if you have ever been a girl, you know this feeling even though you hadn't danced, right?!). There is a scene when a bunch of mothers are watching the annoying teenage couple, and they all knew they were once there. Lisa Fischer's vocal is exquisite! She is much much dramatic than she is with The Rolling Stones.
For the romantic and adventurer in you
grabagerdee_015 March 2007
I really enjoy this movie two of my favorite actors are in this movie and a very young not yet known Eliza Dushku makes her debut in this movie. I have to say I was very impress with her acting in this film. As always C. Thomas Howell to me gives a great performance and no matter what movie she plays in I watch. Juliette Lewis is one of the most underrated actress I think to date. She always make it seems like the script was written for her. As always I am never disappointed in her performance. To whom of those whom read the book One Summer Night I think you would fine the screen version to your liking. If you are into oldies but goodies then this movie is for you it takes you back to your teenage rebel years in the 50s' and if you weren't born in the 50s' it make you wish you were coming up in that era.
Great female coming-of-age drama. (spoilers)
vertigo_1429 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This film is something in the tradition of "Stealing Home" or "The Year My Voice Broke." Set in 1960s New York is the story of a young suburban girl (Dushku)and her rambunctious teen neighbor (Juliette Lewis) who falls in love with the town "roughie" (C. Thomas Howell). Like many films of this kind, in that Romeo and Juliette sense, a tragedy is the result of their relationship.
The tag line for this movie is "In every life, there's a friendship you'll never forget." We learn which one that is for Alice.
The story is told from the point of view from the young neighbor, Alice Bloom, played quite well by Eliza Dushku. Her story is more interesting and less predictable than that of the lovestruck teenagers. Because of her neighbor's (Lewis) bold persona, she serves as Alice's vicarious (and soon, real) escape from a somewhat clueless family and a bunch of friends who tease her quite a bit. But, as the neighbor and her boyfriend began to get more serious in their relationship, the neighbor's mother (and the rest of the suspicious neighborhood) forbids her from seeing the boy. Soon enough, Alice becomes involved in the situation.
This turned out to be a better movie than I expected, but only because of the innocence and somewhat naivety of the ten-year-old protagonist, Alice (Dushku), who seems to survive among a wave of loveless households and idiotic playmates. She's a reminder to all the confusion and awkwardness of that age, as well, which adds to much of the humor. And, she is even invited to a sort of teenage underworld (under the boardwalk). The love story, however, between the neighbor and her boyfriend just seemed to be boilerplate. Not to mention, some deadpan acting by Howell, which detracted from much believability. But Eliza Dushku really steals the show for this one and I would highly recommend watching it.
The tag line for this movie is "In every life, there's a friendship you'll never forget." We learn which one that is for Alice.
The story is told from the point of view from the young neighbor, Alice Bloom, played quite well by Eliza Dushku. Her story is more interesting and less predictable than that of the lovestruck teenagers. Because of her neighbor's (Lewis) bold persona, she serves as Alice's vicarious (and soon, real) escape from a somewhat clueless family and a bunch of friends who tease her quite a bit. But, as the neighbor and her boyfriend began to get more serious in their relationship, the neighbor's mother (and the rest of the suspicious neighborhood) forbids her from seeing the boy. Soon enough, Alice becomes involved in the situation.
This turned out to be a better movie than I expected, but only because of the innocence and somewhat naivety of the ten-year-old protagonist, Alice (Dushku), who seems to survive among a wave of loveless households and idiotic playmates. She's a reminder to all the confusion and awkwardness of that age, as well, which adds to much of the humor. And, she is even invited to a sort of teenage underworld (under the boardwalk). The love story, however, between the neighbor and her boyfriend just seemed to be boilerplate. Not to mention, some deadpan acting by Howell, which detracted from much believability. But Eliza Dushku really steals the show for this one and I would highly recommend watching it.
You'll like Alice and Sheryl, and Eliza and Juliette
gkearns21 July 2001
Warning: Spoilers
"That Night" received mixed reviews from pro critics, and mostly positive reviews from real people - for generally the same reasons. What the reviewers see as pedestrian, cliche filled, and overly sentimental are exactly the things most people love in a movie. In our again and again 1440 minutes a day, most of us live mostly routine, pedestrian, cliched lives ("What's new?" "Nothing much. You?") - or it's that people don't like to face in their entertainment the same problems they live every day; sentimental is the impossible dream escape they wish for themselves. Both groups seem to draw their opinions from quick immediate reactions to one-time viewings. I've found it sometimes takes a second or third viewing to see some of the more complex aspects of a movie. With that in mind, I revisited "That Night" last night (Sorry about that).
SPOILERS AHEAD "That Night" takes place in the early sixties. It's built on two separate story lines. One involves the character Sheryl O'Conner, played with her usual stunning intensity by Juliette Lewis. Sheryl is a seventeen year old, sophisticated, worldly wise, sexy, vamp - a Catholic girl who tests her cultural restrictions to the limit, having a propensity for dangerous guys. She pushes to the limits of the restrictions, but is mostly ruled by them. Her strong father is doting, permissive, and demonstrative in his love for her. Across the street lives eleven year old Alice Bloom, played by Eliza Dushku. Sheryl is everything Alice is not. Alice is naive, and the butt of her peers' pranks, which take advantage of her naivete. Her father is also a strong personality, but cold and rigid in his relationships with his wife and daughter, and insensitive almost to the point of cruelty to Alice. Alice is on her own emotionally. As the story develops between Sheryl and her, it's ironically the naive Alice who has the stronger character - perhaps because of her having to make it on her own emotionally. She is the one who can work through problems (not always wisely, but with consistent fortitude); she is the one who's willing to "take the bull by the horns," so to speak; and she is the one with the courage of her convictions. Sheryl, perhaps by reason of her loving and permissive upbringing, is the one who folds under pressure.
MORE SPOILERS But Alice only sees Sheryl as her ideal, as being everything she wants to be. She spies on Sheryl; she imitates Sheryl's choices in music and perfume. She all but stalks the older girl. The two are brought together when Sheryl finds Alice sick and hurt from the cruel treatment she received at the hands of her friends. In turn, Alice helps Sheryl in planning the trysts with her roustabout boyfriend, and joins her in those trysts as part of the plots she designed. A warm bond grows out of the relationship between Alice, Sheryl, and Sheryl's boyfriend Rick (C. Thomas Howell).
AND MORE SPOILERS Sheryl becomes pregnant, and is exiled to an unwed mothers maternity home (the typical practice of the day). Harsh confrontations arise between Alice and her father, and she defiantly runs away, setting herself to the task of bringing Rick and Cheryl back together as she KNOWS they should be.
SMALL SPOILER Sure, the story is corny, pedestrian, and cliched. And the images are nothing special (the under-the-boardwalk gaudiness here doesn't come close to the softer under-the-boardwalk sequence in "Heaven Help Us." Except for the one scene where Rick dances with Alice on the beach; that's a memorable one. But viewed from the perspective of it's complex evolving human relationships, this is a memorable movie.
SPOILERS AHEAD "That Night" takes place in the early sixties. It's built on two separate story lines. One involves the character Sheryl O'Conner, played with her usual stunning intensity by Juliette Lewis. Sheryl is a seventeen year old, sophisticated, worldly wise, sexy, vamp - a Catholic girl who tests her cultural restrictions to the limit, having a propensity for dangerous guys. She pushes to the limits of the restrictions, but is mostly ruled by them. Her strong father is doting, permissive, and demonstrative in his love for her. Across the street lives eleven year old Alice Bloom, played by Eliza Dushku. Sheryl is everything Alice is not. Alice is naive, and the butt of her peers' pranks, which take advantage of her naivete. Her father is also a strong personality, but cold and rigid in his relationships with his wife and daughter, and insensitive almost to the point of cruelty to Alice. Alice is on her own emotionally. As the story develops between Sheryl and her, it's ironically the naive Alice who has the stronger character - perhaps because of her having to make it on her own emotionally. She is the one who can work through problems (not always wisely, but with consistent fortitude); she is the one who's willing to "take the bull by the horns," so to speak; and she is the one with the courage of her convictions. Sheryl, perhaps by reason of her loving and permissive upbringing, is the one who folds under pressure.
MORE SPOILERS But Alice only sees Sheryl as her ideal, as being everything she wants to be. She spies on Sheryl; she imitates Sheryl's choices in music and perfume. She all but stalks the older girl. The two are brought together when Sheryl finds Alice sick and hurt from the cruel treatment she received at the hands of her friends. In turn, Alice helps Sheryl in planning the trysts with her roustabout boyfriend, and joins her in those trysts as part of the plots she designed. A warm bond grows out of the relationship between Alice, Sheryl, and Sheryl's boyfriend Rick (C. Thomas Howell).
AND MORE SPOILERS Sheryl becomes pregnant, and is exiled to an unwed mothers maternity home (the typical practice of the day). Harsh confrontations arise between Alice and her father, and she defiantly runs away, setting herself to the task of bringing Rick and Cheryl back together as she KNOWS they should be.
SMALL SPOILER Sure, the story is corny, pedestrian, and cliched. And the images are nothing special (the under-the-boardwalk gaudiness here doesn't come close to the softer under-the-boardwalk sequence in "Heaven Help Us." Except for the one scene where Rick dances with Alice on the beach; that's a memorable one. But viewed from the perspective of it's complex evolving human relationships, this is a memorable movie.
A Good Film, A Great Book
atheistic314 April 2002
That night is, without a doubt, a classic coming-of-age film, as well as a classic 50s story of romance, forbidden love, and (long island) suburban blissful ignorance. But the book is better. Alice McDermott's masterpiece (in her own right) is even more an unforgettable tale than this. For all those who claim that this is their favorite film, or even a great film: I beg you to read the book that spawned it.
Sweet, feel-good movie.
grantss11 August 2015
Sweet, feel-good movie.
A growing-up drama (sort of Wonder Years-like) with some great humour and some romance thrown in.
The main adult characters are played by Juliette Lewis and C Thomas Howell, who put in decent performances.
However, it is 11-year old Eliza Dushku, in her first movie, who steals the show with a sweet, remarkable performance. Supporting cast includes 13-year old Katherine Heigl, also in her first movie. Interesting to see the humble beginnings of these now-stars.
Great 60s soundtrack.
A growing-up drama (sort of Wonder Years-like) with some great humour and some romance thrown in.
The main adult characters are played by Juliette Lewis and C Thomas Howell, who put in decent performances.
However, it is 11-year old Eliza Dushku, in her first movie, who steals the show with a sweet, remarkable performance. Supporting cast includes 13-year old Katherine Heigl, also in her first movie. Interesting to see the humble beginnings of these now-stars.
Great 60s soundtrack.
Great cast, excellent movie!
rileygurlzmom30 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Awesomest movie of all times, I really don't understand how it isn't more popular.
Set in the early 60's with some of the best songs ever made; A little girl (Alice played by Eliza Dushku) and the neighborhood kids (one played by Katherine Heigl) hang out often talking about love and sex. The twin boys and 2 girls often tease Alice about not knowing enough about sex and relationships. The kids are fascinated with Sheryl (a Catholic teen who's a daddy's girl played by Juliette Lewis) but not as fascinated (almost obsessed) as little Alice. She tries to convince her friends that she's close to Sheryl and learns a lot from her. But really Alice just watches Sheryl all the time and copies a lot of her routines.
Sheryl is boy crazy and her dad is understanding and is friendly to all the jock boys that come and go. One night at the local bowling alley hangout, Sheryl meets a greaser named Rick (played by C. Thomas Howell) and they flirt. Sheryl's father then passes away. At the wake, Sheryl is sad and needs to get away. She sneaks off and Alice confronts her finally to offer her condolences. Sheryl asks Alice to say she never saw her and swore her to secrecy. They pinky swear. Sheryl heads to the bowling alley to return the shoes, hoping that the Rick is working. A relationship then blooms between Sheryl and Rick. Alice is all about Rick and Sheryl's relationship.
The neighborhood and Sheryls mom is not happy about having the greasers in their neighborhood and Sheryl's mom forbids her from seeing Rick. Meanwhile at a birthday party, Alice and her friends play spin the bottle and one of the twins tells her to close her eyes and open her mouth wide while they stick a live frog in her mouth. Alice runs away screaming and run a to her front yard. Her parents are away until late and so Sheryl over years Alice sobbing and throwing up and runs out to help and comfort her.
Alice then convinces Sheryl to stay with her and babysit so she they can sneak away and see Rick. They have an amazing adventurous night and Alice finally gets her wish to belong with them and for the. To know who she is and be part of their lives.
Sheryl gets pregnant and her mom sends her away, she tells Alice to give a message to Rick for her. Alices parents find out about the night on the town and grounds her so Alice can't get to Rick.
Finally she does and her and Rick set off on an adventure to get Sheryl.
I'm not going to spoil the ending, but my only wish is that they'd shown the neighborhood kids that Alice and Sheryl were tight in the end.
Set in the early 60's with some of the best songs ever made; A little girl (Alice played by Eliza Dushku) and the neighborhood kids (one played by Katherine Heigl) hang out often talking about love and sex. The twin boys and 2 girls often tease Alice about not knowing enough about sex and relationships. The kids are fascinated with Sheryl (a Catholic teen who's a daddy's girl played by Juliette Lewis) but not as fascinated (almost obsessed) as little Alice. She tries to convince her friends that she's close to Sheryl and learns a lot from her. But really Alice just watches Sheryl all the time and copies a lot of her routines.
Sheryl is boy crazy and her dad is understanding and is friendly to all the jock boys that come and go. One night at the local bowling alley hangout, Sheryl meets a greaser named Rick (played by C. Thomas Howell) and they flirt. Sheryl's father then passes away. At the wake, Sheryl is sad and needs to get away. She sneaks off and Alice confronts her finally to offer her condolences. Sheryl asks Alice to say she never saw her and swore her to secrecy. They pinky swear. Sheryl heads to the bowling alley to return the shoes, hoping that the Rick is working. A relationship then blooms between Sheryl and Rick. Alice is all about Rick and Sheryl's relationship.
The neighborhood and Sheryls mom is not happy about having the greasers in their neighborhood and Sheryl's mom forbids her from seeing Rick. Meanwhile at a birthday party, Alice and her friends play spin the bottle and one of the twins tells her to close her eyes and open her mouth wide while they stick a live frog in her mouth. Alice runs away screaming and run a to her front yard. Her parents are away until late and so Sheryl over years Alice sobbing and throwing up and runs out to help and comfort her.
Alice then convinces Sheryl to stay with her and babysit so she they can sneak away and see Rick. They have an amazing adventurous night and Alice finally gets her wish to belong with them and for the. To know who she is and be part of their lives.
Sheryl gets pregnant and her mom sends her away, she tells Alice to give a message to Rick for her. Alices parents find out about the night on the town and grounds her so Alice can't get to Rick.
Finally she does and her and Rick set off on an adventure to get Sheryl.
I'm not going to spoil the ending, but my only wish is that they'd shown the neighborhood kids that Alice and Sheryl were tight in the end.
A charming story of a child becoming entwined with the life of her heroine
robert-temple-129 April 2023
This was the first film in which Eliza Dushku appeared, aged 12. She has since gone on to make 64 more films or series. The main star of the film is the compulsively watchable Juliette Lewis, who does a brilliant job of playing a 17 year-old girl who is a bit too wild for some tastes. The film is set in a suburb on Long Island, New York, in 1961. Eliza hero worships Juliette, who lives opposite. Every evening she has a view into her bedroom window across the street and she watches her dance around, put on lipstick, sing to herself, etc., and is entranced. Eliza longs to be grown up and just like Juliette. Eliza's parents know nothing of this, and when they later learn of it, they try to stop it. Eliza has never dared to speak to her idol, but that changes. Juliette's father suddenly dies and Juliette is accessible to the sympathetic little girl's approaches. They slowly become friends, and Eliza becomes entangled in helping Juliette carry on her relationship, against her mother's wishes, with a handsome boyfriend played by C. Thomas Howell. Many complications arise. The film was written and directed by Craig Bolotin. It could be described as 'harrowing but heart-warming', is written and directed with real sensitivity, and the choice of little girl was perfect. (It apparently took a search of five months to cast her.) This film is so delightful, many people will want to see it more than once.
Awesome movie
Lessard_Family12 February 2006
This had to have been the best movie in my life that I have ever seen. It took me years after seeing it to even track a copy of it down. If I had to recommend a movie, this would be it. Definitely two thumbs up on this. It truly explains how friendships and relationships develop and sometimes work and sometimes don't and also discusses the nature of death to a younger crowd. I saw this movie when I was about 11 years old and it fit into the category of being teased in my life and actually helped me coat with some of the problems that I was battling. The next time that I saw the movie, I actually had most of my family watch it with me. Now that I am older, my family is now watching the movie with me tonight.
Brilliant
AdrienneGrayceMusic7 April 2018
I'm about the same age as Eliza Dushku, so when I watched this movie in the early 90s when it was on a cable channel one night, I could relate to her character, Alice. I caught the movie a couple of minutes into it, while flipping through channels. I was intrigued and couldn't shut it off. It's a great story of love, admiration and growing up. As a child and teen, there were several women who I idolized as ALICE does Sheryl. Juliette Lewis was mesmerizing as Sheryl, it's hard not to idolize her in that character. It's an all around feel-good movie. Don't get me started on the amazing soundtrack for the movie. I always looked for "That Night" on Cable, On Demand, Netflix, and Hulu and could never find it. It's so rare that you have to buy it, which I just did. Well worth it to buy in order to watch this classic. 10 stars from me.
A simpler time, but the issues are still complex
kaseino6 June 2003
I remember seeing a trailer for That Night in theatres and thinking that it didn't look particularly interesting. I was wrong. Ten years after its release I finally watched it because of the young actress it introduced, Eliza Dushku. If I had any doubts about her ability to act, this quashed them.
Yes, I'm a fangirl. I'm also the first to say most of Eliza's movies are mediocre at best, though she always gives her all to each role. This one is incredible.
That Night deals with the familiar theme of not fitting in but does it with characters that are flawed and occasionally just a little creepy. It takes the viewer back to a simpler time, when family values were more than just a politician's catchphrase, and it deals with some very up-to-date issues as it does. The characters are well thought out and very believable, and easy to identify with. It's a good family film for those with older kids - there is a fair amount of sex hinted at.
In short, That Night is definitely worth the watch. :)
Yes, I'm a fangirl. I'm also the first to say most of Eliza's movies are mediocre at best, though she always gives her all to each role. This one is incredible.
That Night deals with the familiar theme of not fitting in but does it with characters that are flawed and occasionally just a little creepy. It takes the viewer back to a simpler time, when family values were more than just a politician's catchphrase, and it deals with some very up-to-date issues as it does. The characters are well thought out and very believable, and easy to identify with. It's a good family film for those with older kids - there is a fair amount of sex hinted at.
In short, That Night is definitely worth the watch. :)
My comments are good (This is now my favourite movie)
ice_chick561 February 2001
I just watched this film today after I got home from my exams and it was great. The movie kept me going the whole time. I was always waiting to see what would happen. First of all the story was great. Second of all the acting was good and it was cool to see how it was when my parents were teenagers and the music was good too. My friends are probably going to laugh at me for saying this but I kinda like that "Old music."
Excellent Movie
ilove91x17 September 2001
This a very good movie about simpler times. It's a movie you can watch just to get away from the hectic and sometimes chaotic lifestyle some of us have now. The young girl was such a good little actress. Juliette Lewis is very good in this movie too.
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