One Night Stand (1997) User Reviews

More than One Night Stand

[patita-1 · 7/10 · 20 May 2002]

The title of this movie(One Night Stand) may suggest that it's about "Cheating" but is something else,is about an instant attraction,the things occur spontaneously between Karen(Ms Kinski )and Max(Wesley Snipes)THEN just a memory of that perfect woman,then the re- encounter,the desire and passion appears again and then…surprise!LOVE!

Max and Karen are drawn together with both of them finding something in each other that had been lacking in their own relationships BUT is Robert Downey jr who steals the show HE IS THE GLUE that represents human connection in the film,believe me HE ROCKS!!!.Wonderful performances by the cool Wesley Snipes,Ming Na Wen,Nastassja Kinski(she is so smooth!!!),OK I got to say something about this actress,Kinski,she's a true woman.She doesn't has the vulgarity of Jennifer Lopez(Oops!).

I also liked the two sex scenes of our protagonist with this two woman(the difference of how they make love…),even the film has some cameos from Ione Skye(remember that actress of Say Anything?);His real life brother ,the musician Donovan Leitch,OK Mike Figgis is the Director but he also is responsible of the wonderful music in this film.

I hate to say it,but Roger Ebert was right in saying that Kinski has the best line of the movie: "What do you do, Karen?" asks Mimi(Max's wife). And she replies: "I'm a rocket scientist."

robert downey jr makes the pic

[bfraser1947 · 7/10 · 22 March 2001]

The movie is heart warming and full of hope. Robert Downey,JR playing a gay man with AIDS is phenomenal and well worth seeing the picture. Under-rated by critics i found it compelling and very moving. It shows a very shapley Wesley Snipes playing a very sympathetic role, different for him, plus the best friend of Robert Downey Jr,

Life is an orange

[valadas · 7/10 · 24 September 2003]

In this excellent movie we are told an apparently very simple story where life meets death, success crosses with failure, conjugal life redounds in adultery and love triumphs over it all though in a somewhat strange way. A man's best friend is dying of AIDS. He comes to visit him and that fact unchains a lot of coincidences and accidental events which will change some people's lives. This story is really made of factual coincidences but this circumstance far from being a flaw, is its backbone since life itself is full of strange coincidences and those shown here are not improbable. Life is really an orange like the dying man tells his best friend in his deathbed. What does this mean indeed? The answer is not given in the movie so it's up to you to find it by yourself. Another very important feature of the plot is the solid friendship between these two men which is revealed by some very moving deeds and circumstances. One last word for the sound track music which is also excellent and adequate to the atmosphere of the movie thus reinforcing it and making us feel it more deeply. And one last warning: prudes, abstain from seeing this movie because you will hate it not so much for certain scenes (as a matter of fact we have seen a lot of more explicit ones in a lot of famous movies) but because you won't be able to lay your moral prejudice aside in order to admire the beauty of this true love story or to understand its rather odd end. Is it important to say that the lovers' couple is here composed of a black man and a white woman (Wesley Snipes and Nastassja Kinski who perform their roles very well)? I don't think so.

Major disappointment from Figgis

[SKG-2 · 6/10 · 25 February 1999]

LEAVING LAS VEGAS affected me like almost no other movie has, so I was bound to find this film somewhat of a let-down, but even I was surprised by how much. In his other films, Figgis has demonstrated he's a master with mood and atmosphere, and he's good here as well. The scene where Max and Karen first meet is nicely played, without too much foreshadowing thrown in. But this is a conventional plot, and try as he might, Figgis isn't able to make it interesting enough. And as much as I hate Joe Eszterhas (whose screenplay this is re-written from), I can't imagine his ending was any worse (or maybe this was his ending).

I'm not a big fan of Kinski to begin with, but to be fair, she has almost nothing to work with, and she does try. And I like Ming-Na Wen, but she's also stuck, she with a too-unsympathetic character. The men come off better; Snipes and MacLachlan are good, but really, the main reason this is worth watching is Robert Downey Jr., who avoids cliche even when his character is dying. Otherwise, you're left wondering, what the hell was the purpose here?

a good movie with good performanc.. but.. wtf in the end? .

[afterdarkpak · 7/10 · 7 April 2020]

The movie has really good performance by almost every lead and side characters. Robert jr is damn natural actor. the movie has good quality production too.

But anyhow.. the movie is Morally bad , as instead of fixing the marriage , the movie shows how to swinger ?. means the whole movie is intresting and it gets more interesting when in the end they both found their spouses with each other. OK black guy and blond had one night stand . but what about asian wife and that guy ? . it didnt mention or shows how they end up together. its a huge part that is missing in the movie.

What a stupid premise. What an insult to my intelligence.

[groovygu · 1/10 · 30 August 1999]

Realistically, how could a successful man who has a beautiful and sexually available wife, two children and a great home, decide to sleep with a stranger and have the audacity to come home without taking a shower? Realistically, how could this woman turn out to be the sister-in law of this man's best friend. Realistically, how could these two hook up again, and then find their respective spouses going at it less than 20 feet away? Come on!!! This movie is a great example of bad filmmaking. People in the socio-economic strata displayed in the film just don't engage in acts worthy of the "Jerry Springer Show." The film takes what could have been a viable premise and makes it into nothing but a laughable farce. Ming-Na Wen's first love scene is a complete joke. What is she supposed to be a coxswain? Give her a megaphone so she can yell 'Stoke! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!' What a bad film.

Obscure and confusing yet beautiful aesthetics.

[s_verbraeken · 6/10 · 23 March 2010]

I watched it on television in one of these bizarre named channels that often spread some garbage movies.

I first was surprised because of the Wesley Snipes appearance in these kind of movie. He normally plays main characters in some mediocre action movies like Blade, making me doubt of his skills as an actor. But in this one he is different: the only action move he made was a single ''kick?'' (a little confusing battle) to some robbers who deserved some more kicks, if we don't count the sex scenes as action scenes of course. It's interesting how he can express feelings like embarrassment, intense love although he keeps his tough-guy style like in the scene where he talks about television with his friends. Natassja Kinski assumed very good the Karen character form by playing a saddened and hurt Karen after being attacked by the robbers. Great acting by the way in the two meetings of the couples in New York, I already smelted that something odd was going to happen.

I didn't noticed any plot holes but finally we don't know nearly anything about the characters. The whole film was centered into that ''One Night Stand'', we don't know anything about Max and Mimi's children, about Max past (we know that he likes to smoke joints with his friend Charlie), about Vernon, nothing. It was just a funny succession of consequences that happened after only one night.

Some details of the film where very strange though, seeming senseless if I may say. Why the sex scene between Max and Mimi is so long? Was the pot smoking habitude of Max placed there only to fit with the dog smelling Max's pants scene? Why did they made a scene in which Max and his friends talked about television? It's like Kafka does with his novels, writing stories without a reasonable plot just for the art of writing. This movie is made only for the art of movie-making, nothing else.

Each scene isn't connected to the other by the common way, it's like each and every one of them are separated by days or maybe years. There's always a dark halo surrounding every moment of the film, especially every time Max meets Karen at the parking, the hotel room, the hospital and at the final party.

It's a good film despite what others may say, just watch it.

....OR THE HOLLYWOODVERSION OF CHEATING YOUR WIFE...

[Didier-Becu · 4/10 · 30 July 2003]

Blame it on me, but the only reason I wanted to see this film for was that Nastassja Kinski plays in it. So for this alone it justifies being fixed at the screen for 90 minutes...but for the rest? I really wouldn't know.... It all starts with Wesley Snipes who travels from LA to New York to see his sick buddy Charlie who is seropositive. Wesley has a perfect familylife, two kids, a dog and a lovely wife Ming-Na. Everything goes fine till he misses his flight and bumps onto Karen (Nastassja Kinski, with blonde hair this time!). Everything is innocent (they go to an opera) till they are robbed and madame Kinski begs him to stay the night with her as she's still dead afraid. And of course it happens... You can't blame Snipes, Ming-Na....it's Nastassja, remember? The day after Wesley flies back home and his life changes...the most interesting part of the movie by the way as the dog smells something...! Look I could go on and tell you the whole movie but that wouldn't be fair. Nothing more interesting happens and if it does it is pure Hollywood-nonsense (the last 10 minutes are even completely stupid). "One night stand" certainly isn't a bad movie, it even doesn't bore one minute, but it's just a bit too empty and you can't blame the actors as Wesley Snipes plays his role perfect but actors are bound to the script, a script that is a bit too much like those telemovies that are based on true stories. Watch it but expect nothing, expect...well you know!

Predictable

[Ry-4 · 6/10 · 30 July 2000]

Not exactly a "bad" movie but not quite a good one either, it was tolerable and at parts enjoyable watch but overall too predictable! Very hard to believe it came from the same director as "Leaving Las Vegas", since it lacked the emotional depth.

Great actors, but a rather poor movie...sorry.

[Firestorhm · 3/10 · 22 December 2005]

Okay, so I've read all of the reviews on this movie. Let me break it down for you. I rented this movie already having a general idea what it was about. Even though I don't care for movies about infidelity, I wanted to see this particular one anyways. Ming-Na Wen is by far my absolute favorite actor, and I have always enjoyed watching Wesley Snipes' action movies.

I've read the reviews and have concluded that this movie is getting far too much credit for it's "artsy" side. Yes, I agree with another reviewer that the movie is better once you watch the director's commentary version, but that doesn't replace the fact that I watched the entire movie with my stomach in knots. And don't get it twisted, it IS about infidelity.

As the title suggests, there's a one night stand. Okay, I was expecting that. But the events that follow just drag the viewer down. Robert Downey Jr. played a decent role, but nothing extraordinary as others might have you believe. The entire movie is depressing, and the last ten minutes or so of the movie all the way up to the ending is just terrible! I'm not going to spoil anything, but let me just say that I hated it. The two scenes towards the end sealed my negative vote on this movie.

I hate to write this, too. As I said, my favorite actor is in the movie, and I really enjoy most of the roles the other main actors have played in other films. But this flick dragged me down, and I wanted to eat a bullet by the end of the movie. Keep in mind, that the director (Michael Figgis) has a thing for infidelity (Does "Internal Affairs" ring any bells?), so just go into it knowing that.

I'm sad to say it, but "One Night Stand" was a downer, despite all of the great actors and acting. Honestly, I would not recommend it. If you enjoy being cheated on and watching it happen to other people as well, then you'll probably love this movie. Knock yourself out.

Simple but thought provoking!

[Atobha · 8/10 · 16 March 2000]

This movie is different from others in a sense that there's no good guy and bad guy line here. Nobody's perfect and nobody's totally wrong. However, in order to show Max-Caren pair as "unfaithful" as Mimi-Vernon pair, the event that was taking place outside the party was too imposed and simplistic. Some better idea should have come there. Extra-marital relationship is very complicated subject and deserves lot of thought. This movie at least provokes that kind of thought, though in a very simple way.

Ming-Na Wen and Wesley Snipes were over-acting on some occasions. Wesley's ad-firm colleagues were unnecessarily shown as stupid. However, Robert Downey Jr.'s part was superb, though his character was not directly related to the movie's main story. I was moved by him talking to Wesley about "life's like an orange". Some people here found Nastassja Kinski boring. I completely disagree. She was not blabbing, that's true, but look at her subtle facial expressions. One will rarely find this talent in Hollywood stars' face.

Another feature in this movie that I liked very much is the natural relationship between Black-White-Asian, which I can hardly find in a Hollywood movie unless the theme of the movie is race discrimination or something alike.

I give it a little above average credit. With better acting and little modification in the script this could be an extraordinary movie.

A Daunting Screenplay and poor Editing is almost saved by a Great Ensemble

[nickschuyler · 6/10 · 4 August 2007]

Watched "One Night Stand", followed by "Goodfellas" and then watched the Director's Commentary for "One Night Stand."

Englightening. Intriguing. Sloppy.

"One Night Stand" took on a lot: Racism, Stereotypes, Adultery, AIDS, Family-life. One IMDb author badmouthing this film: "How is this realistic?" In the grand scope of life, we do much more unrealistic things. Problem is, moviegoers need something more refined and a great deal more palatable. We've all eaten Mac & Cheese over the stove and had fancy steak dinners in the same calendar year, yet it's not good on the big screen.

The ensemble delivers the story well. The major problem is in Figgis. He takes on way too much at once. He has to edit things down and all these realistic situations (because life is crazy) seem so unrealistic by the moviegoer's eye. He should have reigned it in quite a bit.

There was such an attempt to joust with everything, to be REAL. I really cannot even get a handle on writing a short review. If you love Indie pics, you'll love this one. If you love director commentaries, you'll love this one, too.

If you want a straight-forward flick, you'll hate "One Night Stand." The editing was rushed and the story was encumbered by all the extra-curriculars: Black Husband/Asian Wife, two-way extra-marital affairs, bi-coastal stereotyping, the Gay/AIDS "agenda." Whoo boy. I just don't have the time to tackle it all adequately, so I'll comment on the actors, which would have made a better script and better editing into a 7 or 8 star film (Goodfellas: 8, The Departed and Rocky: 10. In my book, you have to fire on every cylinder to be a 10. Most films are 4, 5, or 6).

Wesley Snipes: Great Dramatic Acting about a man torn between where he is and where he wants to be in life.

Ming-Na: excellent "American neglected wife" who happens to be Asian. Very anti-stereotypical role. Her stage presence is underscored by how poorly her role was written. She delivers it strongly.

Thomas Hayden Church: He really performed so well, you wished for more of him on Camera, unfortunately, he was written only in support.

Nastassia Kinski: Part Muse, Part Heroine in distress, Part Mistress foil to Wen's Mimi.

Robert Downey Jr: Drug addict. If you've seen any movie where his character is some sort of addict, you've seen him before. Tab A, meet Slot B.

Kyle MacLaughlin: Weakest player. Offered little substance to the movie - which he should have had a major part. Unfortunately, the scrip was way too heavy.

Way too complicated, like life often is. A good screenplay strikes the balance, complicating only what is necessary. This script fails that, and in the end, the director has to rush through places where he should stop to breathe, and breathes in places he should have rushed.

Pointless

[karchad · 2/10 · 17 September 2005]

I find this film pointless. Big deal, there was an interracial relationship. This theme can hardly highlight a movie. And Robert Downey Jr. is totally wasted, having the oxygen mask on him for most of his role. Then again, they should have put oxygen masks on the rest of the cast, to stifle their lines. Come to think about, the audience in the theaters probably needed oxygen masks to keep from fainting at this poor flock.

I even found the sex scenes uninteresting.

What exactly was the theme or idea, or plot of this movie. No need to issue a spoiler here, because anyone watching this movie should be thoroughly dis-interested in the ending.

Low Flames.

[tfrizzell · 13 June 2012]

Los Angeles commercial director Wesley Snipes goes to New York to visit dying childhood friend Robert Downey, Jr. (who is in the latter stages of AIDS) and has a quick affair with yuppie Nastassja Kinski. Their secret seems safe until one year later Snipes returns to New York with his erotic, but oft-times mean-spirited wife (Ming Na-Wen) and they meet Kinski by chance when they find out that she is actually married to Downey Jr.'s older brother (a cold and seemingly unfeeling Kyle MacLachlan, even equipped with latex gloves because of his fear of catching AIDS). Would-be potboiler is actually pretty tame in the end with Snipes and Na-Wen providing a few light sparks with a couple of emotional sparring matches, but probably the greatest conflict actually occurs between Snipes and his boss (Thomas Haden Church who in the end is really only a window-dressing character here). Kinski and MacLachlan are more quiet and supposedly deep-thinking than anything else and in the end it is Downey, Jr. Who is the revelation being almost unrecognizable as a young man whose body and mind are beginning to decay from his horrid illness. However, it is almost like he is in the wrong film as his part just basically is used as a bridge on more than one occasion between Snipes and Kinski. Writer/director Mike Figgis (who was fresh off "Leaving Las Vegas" in 1995) tends to use coincidence, chance, and splintered relationships between major roles to get his points across. The film stutters and drags to its finale, finally resolving with a would-be jaw-dropping conclusion which in actuality most could probably see a mile away. Just lacks the fire and intensity needed to be much more than a curiosity and little else. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

ultimately unsatisfying

[fookoo · 6/10 · 23 August 2003]

Life can be a series of happenstance which is what Mike Figgis has strung together into the plot of this movie. The cast is more than adequate and does quite well with Robert Downey jr., giving the best performance in the movie. The skill of a director and making a movie is to create an environment in which the viewer suspends disbelief and doesn't go back later and pick the movie apart. Figgis has failed, not because of chance encounters, but because the movie is too symmetrical for its own good. It is unbelievable because Figgis did not spend the time on screen developing the characters sufficiently to motivate what happens in the ending. The premise of a one night stand affecting one's life is more than plausible. When it all comes out in the wash, I simply don't see the chemistry between Nastassja Kinski and Wesley Snipes and without that the movie makes no sense and ultimately falls apart.

Amazing First Half, Disappointing Conclusion

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 3 October 2023]

Max Carlyle (Wesley Snipes) is the advertisement manager of a company in Los Angeles, where he lives with his beloved wife Mimi Carlyle (Ming-Na Wen) and their two children. While in New York for a business meeting, he visits his best-friend Charlie (Robert Downey Jr.), who is HIV positive. They have not seen each other for five years because of a minor problem. When Max's pen leaks ink in his pocket in the lobby of the hotel after the check-out, he befriends a woman, Karen (Nastassja Kinski), who offers him to go to her room to change the shirt. Max learns that Karen will go to the theater to see a string quartet in the night. Max loses his flight to LA, meets Karen and they go to the theater together. While returning to the hotel, they are robbed and Max defends her. She invites him to stay in her room to wait for his flight on the next morning and they have one night stand. One year later, Max returns to New York with Mimi to visit Charlie, who is terminal, and they meet his brother Vernon (Kyle MacLachlan). He introduces his wife to Max and Mimi and he realizes that she is Karen.

"One Night Stand" is a beautiful film by Mike Figgis. The sensitive beginning is amazing, with the encounter of Max and Karen and the development of their relationship to one night stand. Robert Downey Jr. Steals the show with his outstanding performance of a man with HIV. The gorgeous Nastassja Kinski and Ming-Na Wen, and Kyle MacLachlan complete the charming cast of this realistic movie. Julian Sands that we have recently lost is another great name in a minor role. The impact of this film in the 90's was greater than now. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Por Uma Noite Apenas" ("One Night Stand")

Don't bother with this unrealistic stinker

[brainfertilizer · 1/10 · 24 January 2005]

I hated this movie. It is quite possibly one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

Part of my problem with it is the clever ending. Part of my problem with it is the typical Hollywood sympathetic portrayal of the Saintly AIDS-stricken Homosexual Wise Man. Part of my problem with it is that I just don't like Wesley Snipes much as an actor; to me, the same arrogant personality is present in every movie I've seen him in. Part of it was some extremely cheesy dialog meant to establish his wife's character: Wesley: "But, Honey, the kids...." Ming-na: "F*** the kids, I'm coming!"

Touching Love Story with Nastassja KINSKI and Wesley SNIPES

[ZeddaZogenau · 7/10 · 27 December 2023]

At the age of 20, the German actress Nastassja KINSKI, born in 1961, received a GOLDEN GLOBE for the literary adaptation TESS, then she made a few Hollywood films that were not quite as successful. She took time for the family phase and surprised everyone with a comeback in the action film TERMINAL VELOCITY in 1994. Three years later she appeared in this calm relationship film by Mike FIGGIS.

Two people (KINSKI and Wesley SNIPES), both in firm hands, accidentally come closer to each other. There is a one night stand that will change both of their lives forever...

An everyday story is told here sensitively and impressively. Wesley SNIPES in particular surprises with a performance for which he was awarded a Coppa Volpi at the Venice Film Festival. Kyle McLACHLAN (BLUE VELVET) and Robert DOWNEY Jr. Also star in other roles. (IRON MAN).

What was Mike thinking?

[cuz · 5/10 · 12 December 1998]

There are some startling things in "One Night Stand" but here's the most amazing aspect: it was directed by the same guy who made "Leaving Las Vegas." How do you follow up one of the saddest, most emotional, gut-wrenching dramas in recent memory? Maybe you rest for a while instead of taking on projects like this one. What Figgis saw in this bizarre tale of adultery is anyone's guess. The movie opens with Wesley Snipes (playing a confused TV ad director) talking to the camera. Why? Does he think he's in a Woody Allen movie? Due to an awkward set of circumstances, the married Snipes ends up sharing a hotel room with Nastassja Kinski. They start in separate beds, and end up in the same one. The guilty man goes home to his wife and family. After a night of sex with a strange woman, ol' Wesley could use a rest, but no, his wife jumps him like there's no tomorrow. She's played by Ming-Na Wen, who has one of the longest, loudest orgasms ever heard in a movie that doesn't star Nina Hartley. (You almost expect Snipes to look at the camera and say, "Holy cow, did you hear that?"). Then there's an odd subplot involving one of Snipes' friends, who is dying of AIDS. The doomed man is played by Robert Downey Jr., and he's really the best thing in the movie. Actually, his story is almost a movie in itself. Downey is also the only truly likable character in the film. Snipes' ad man is a jerk, and Kinski is a bore, even in the love scenes (maybe she should have taken lessons from Wen). Here's another strange occurrence. The ravishing Ione Skye ("Say Anything") plays a minor role as a party girl. Give her Kinski's part and the result might have been a more interesting film. Maybe. Nothing seemed to go right with this one. Hopefully, Figgis will get back on track and put "One Night Stand" behind him.

So?

[lee_eisenberg · 2/10 · 31 July 2006]

I couldn't tell what was supposed to be the point of "One Night Stand". So there was a bunch of stuff about interracial relationships. Many other movies have done a much better job with that stuff. How could Mike Figgis, after creating a masterpiece like "Leaving Las Vegas" create something so disjointed with this movie? It wastes Wesley Snipes, Nastassja Kinski, Kyle MacLachlan, Ming-Na, Robert Downey Jr and John Ratzenberger on complete nonsense. If this movie has any redeeming qualities, it's that it gave Thomas Haden Church an early starring role, paving the way for him to star in "Sideways".

So, in conclusion, Wesley Snipes's character says that anything's better than LA. I, for one, would rather choke on LA's smog than have to watch this movie again.

A Great Movie

[Edgar-3 · 10/10 · 27 December 1998]

This is a great movie with amazing actors. One suggestion for all the people who give it a bad review: Rent the DVD and listen to the track with the directors commentary (the full length movie). What I read so far on reviews, including the official ones from all the Siskel and Eberts, they seem to misunderstand the movie. They are criticizing exactly what the director did on purpose. Watch the movie - watch the commentary version - watch the movie again. It is a great experience.

Forget the flaws, enjoy the experience!

[Simon D. · 8/10 · 11 June 1999]

I don't know what it is with films but some capture the mood for me and some don't. 'Leaving Las Vegas' didn't but this did. So why? The latter didn't receive half the aclaim of the first, but somehow despite 'Las Vegas' being the more technically perfect film 'One Night Stand' was more a more interesting study of Human relationships and how real life is.

I don't think I have seen a better performance from Snipes and Robert Downey Jnr leaves me stunned at why he hasn't been given more leading roles. Downey Jnr is up there with the best of them when it comes to ability and 'Chaplin' should have led to a continuous stream of top dramatic billing, A small but again thoughtful performance from him, never totally stealing the limelight but always there as the part demanded. There are only a few actors that leave me wanting more because of the insight they brought to the character, Pacino, De Niro, Duvall, Hopkins, to name some, but also, strange as it may be, based on the few decent roles he has had, Downey Jnr.

Figgis brings to this film a mood that captivates. The dialogue levels are appalling in places (sound recordists when are you going to learn its no good spending millions on a movie and people working their guts out if we cant hear the bloody thing!) and the story a little rushed at times. It could be compared, for those of you who are musicians, to recording a piece of Jazz or R & B Live in a studio and then quantizing the track so that all the notes and rhythms are absolutely in time, they then sound too mechanical. A little rough round the edges can often make the difference and ironically make the film perfect.

I had a problem with the ending and couldn't figure out why. Then it struck me, when you look at the two dinner scenes it was plain that the foursome only worked with the second arrangement and the end was inevitable thus the attempt by Figgis to make a twist was lost on an audience who were already half expecting that to happen at the first dinner scene, me included.

So flaws aside I still enjoyed this film immensely and certainly give it an above average rating.

On a a final note has anyone seen so many lowly parts played by such reputable British actors, namely Julian Sands, Amanda Donohue, and Ione Skye!

A tremendous endeavor

[go2dean-1 · 8/10 · 23 June 2001]

At first I had a knee jerk reaction to the fact that infidelity played a role in the rearrangement of people's lives. However, what got me off my high horse was Robert Downey Jr's character Charlie. Charlie was the equalizer in this film which brought everything and everyone together. The message became crystal clear as Charlie candle slowly burned out, but what better way could a man ask to leave this world. Charlie truly left us all with something to live on for, OUR HAPPINESS.... 9 out of 10

Life is an Orange

[somnopolis1 · 10/10 · 21 April 2007]

I absolutely love this movie. Figgis' use of music gives me chills and I don't find some of the 'coincidences', in the movie's plot too unbelievable. Rather than being a clichéd Hollywood film on adultery, I've always thought it to be a joyful celebration of life in the face of mortality. Robert Downey Jnr. milks a whole scene for comedic effect solely with the use of his owl-like eyes. While a similar scene in your average film would be knee-deep in pap miserabilism. There is something subversive in the director and actors finding humour amidst such morbidity.

But it's the music that keeps me coming back. Figgis' enthusiasm for jazz is well in evidence here and there's even a neat use of Nina Simone's 'Exactly Like You'.

Natassja Kinski and Ming Na Wen don't hurt none either.