Ron’s Review

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I cannot believe how much I loved One Night Only. This isn’t the kind of movie I would voluntarily watch. But that’s what I’ve really enjoyed about the Cineplex Monday Surprise Premieres. We end up seeing such unexpected films.

This movie is set in a kind of alternate present where unmarried people can only have sex on one night of the year. But this mandate is solely in the USA, and weirdly also applies to queer people. I would have really liked to see this film from a queer person’s POV but we get the hetero version. And it’s pretty fun.

As the fateful night finally arrives, pizzeria owner, Owen (Callum Turner) and ad jingle singer Allie (Monica Barbaro), find themselves alone and crossing paths several times. Is this coincidence or fate?

This movie was so funny. I didn’t expect to laugh this much. The actions of the characters and their dialogue is so human and natural. It felt like I was experiencing another world that felt just slightly different from ours. It was a completely immersive experience for me and I forgot I was in a movie theatre or that I was watching a film. I actually felt disoriented leaving the theatre, because I kept thinking there was some mandate hanging over our heads!

There are a ton of cameos in this film that should have been reminders that I was watching a film, but instead, it felt like I was seeing friends and neighbours. Everyone was so natural and organic. The performances didn’t feel like acting at all. No wonder we all disappeared into the movie. Shoutout to the gentleman in our hall who, at the end of the film, leapt up and declared that we should all get pizza. Round of applause for you. But that was really how I felt—like I should be going for a pizza with my fellow cinema-goers who had had this incredible experience. 

I also loved the soundtrack and the song parodies in the film which were beautifully sung but also hilarious.

I have to give kudos to the excellent pacing and the relentless momentum of the film. This film would have been a dud without that forethought into how much propulsion a low-stakes story needs. I’m glad I finished dinner before the movie, because this film deserves our full concentration.

I also have to give a nod to Barbaro who looks ethereally beautiful in this film. She’s also very sweet and charming, and somehow, despite looking that drop dead gorgeous, manages to portray her character as an everywoman we can relate to.

Every moment of this film was enjoyable — bar one gross scene that I could have done without. One Night Only is hilarious, a complete escape from the real world, and is powered by such natural and realistic performances, it doesn’t even feel like watching a film. I hope it gets plenty of recognition, because it is stellar.

Mon’s Review

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I’d seen the trailer of this film (twice, apparently), and it didn’t interest me at all. I thought it was going to be one of those wistful, romantic dramas – like the many knock-off Linklater copies. When the recording of Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro appeared on the screen before the film, I was utterly confused about what I was headed in for. And wow, was I in for a ride.

Nothing about the nondescript trailer of One Night Only will prepare you for the quirky premise the story is built on. In the universe of the film, premarital sex has been outlawed, except for 12 hours on August 7, every year. Haha, we see what you did there, marketing team. The film premieres on August 7. 

It’s obvious the creative team have never lived in a culture where any form of intimacy prior to marriage is a punishable offense, so we’re supposed to be baffled by this mandate, but I like that the characters just go about their business, holding their breath till the big day. This day of exception is celebrated like New Year’s. Can you blame these poor, hard-up, folks?

The film, however, doesn’t slip into debauchery. Everyone is really excited for this day. There’s mixers, and long-time partners waiting to showcase their love. Except for our two protagonists. Owen (Callum Turner) thinks he’s sorted for the day, only to find a twist in his tale. Suddenly, he’s alone at night, without a partner. On the other side, Allie (Monica Barbaro) was supposed to spend the evening with her friend, both of them finding a real connection with someone, rather than a fly-by. Yeah, said friend finds a literal prince and ditches Allie.

Somehow, these two lonely people keep finding their way to each other, through circumstances utterly hilarious, ridiculous, and kinda sweet. 

The film is surprisingly funny. I did not expect to guffaw and cheer this much during One Night Only. I thought it was going to be all self-serious, but it isn’t. This is a daft concept (for North Americans, anyways), and the people in the film are just trying to make the most of their freedom. Yes, everyone loses their minds. The film is probably a shade too chaste to be called a raunchy comedy, but it’s almost there. It’s like the Purge, but happy! 

The premise of the film wouldn’t work if we didn’t feel like humanity is adaptable—even when resistant to a silly mandate—and able to live life per usual. That’s how we live in reality. So do they in this film. 

Despite so much happening in the film and with so many characters introduced, the story still feels contained and tight. Barring a couple of instances near the end, I didn’t think there was a single overlong scene in the film. 

The biggest asset to the film are the performances. Everyone seems to be having a gala time. They’re all so natural. I felt like I could talk to the characters. No one did anything too stupid or irredeemable. Everyone was sweet, and trying really hard to make the most of their limited freedom. 

I was astounded by how many characters and extras were in the film. And each one is written with personality traits. I say traits, specifically, and not quirks. They act and react like normal people. From the tiniest role to the main characters, everyone does things that you’ve seen or heard someone in the real world do. The quip about queer people circumnavigating rules. Someone from Africa preempting possible racist comments about him. A federal worker stuck in the infinite loop of upholding a terrible rule while trying to make a living. So many moments with so many characters give you that crowded, lived-in feeling of a bustling city. It’s only possible because of that revolving door of characters and actors. Each with their own unique personality. 

My only criticism is that this is a pretty heteronormative film–there’s a throwaway line to explain that, but we needed more queer characters to balance things out. I also wish there had been more size diversity in the characters, especially the background players. We needed more fat characters also enjoying the day. 

I was ready to dislike this film, but I didn’t. I loved it. I was won over by the natural, charming performances by the entire cast. I loved the humour, the romance, the sweetness. I particularly adored Allie, who is so lovely, but funnily enough has a rather realistic personality quirk that makes her especially endearing.