One Night Only Review
A charming, fun rom-com anchored by great lead performances - but One Night Only struggles at times to shake off its premise.
In a world where the US has passed a near year-round ban on sex for unmarried couples, the one night a year it is allowed becomes a huge event. For Owen (Callum Turner), it’s a sad one as he is dumped by his girlfriend so she can pursue a fling. For Allie (Monica Barbaro), it’s a hopeful one as she tries to find love. They might be the only two singles in the city looking for more than just a quick fling. They feel a spark when they meet, but as missteps and hurdles complicate their night, and the sunrise approaches, can they find their way back to one another?
One Night Only has all the trappings of a great modern rom-com. There’s the presence of two ‘red hot right now’ stars, both playing their parts incredibly well. There’s the New York setting, a perennial classic. And there’s plenty of humour that lands; as well as the eventual coming together also hitting hard. Overall, a solid rom-com, and one you’ll enjoy.
The problem is that it’s all wrapped up in this premise about singles only being allowed to have sex once a year. For the most part, that’s a fine premise. Set it up at the start and forget about it. It’s a film - suspension of disbelief is the key. But director Will Gluck keeps coming back to it, keeps adding meat to the bones of this ban. There’s the interview with a Senator on the news discussing it. There’s the pharma/tech bro discussing the tattoos they invented to monitor the physical responses of partners. And there’s a myriad of other areas where the premise is delved into, and given real shape and flesh.
There’s something to be said for a movie that sets up a wild premise, and then let’s the story do its thing. Here, Gluck keeps re-interrogating the premise so much, intent on a broader social message, that you get pulled out of the story. You’re enamoured with the two falling in love, then suddenly having to question how the condom industry survives when they only serve really one night a year. You’re watching them make pizza, and wondering how non-urban centres work with this rule. And what punishment is there for this crime?
Overall, it’s a distracting side piece, even when it is the basis of the conceit.
When we’re given the time to actually focus on the burgeoning romance with the couple, it sings. Callum Turner is wonderful as the put out pizza parlour owner, and Monica Barbaro is charming too. They have a nice banter between them, and you’re rooting for them both by the end. When they finally kiss, it feels cathartic and lovely - right up until you are once again forced to consider the premise.
