After Hours

Release Year: 1985

Director: Martin Scorsese

Review: This isn't a Scorsese film that is talked about as much as most of his other work.  It certainly has a different feel than most.  Paul(Griffen Dunne) is an ordinary New Yorker, who has an ordinary job.  One fateful night he is minding his own business when he strikes up a conversation with an attractive woman and gets her number.  Naturally, Paul gives her a call later that night and is surprised to find that she wants him to come over right away.  Despite the late hour, Paul ventures out to go downtown.  Little does he know he is about to embark on the worst evening of his life.

This is a weird, weird movie.  It takes place during a single night in the SoHo district of New York.  There is a surreal feel to the film.  Paul is continually tortured with unfortunate circumstances, which continue to get worse and worse.  All he wants to do is get home, but everything in the universe is conspiring against him.  It is almost painful to watch as Paul agonizes with the events of the evening.  Although this is a comedy, it felt more like horror, as Paul goes further and further down the rabbit hole, unable to escape from his nightmarish adventure.

One downside is that I never could sympathize with Paul.  He isn't the most upstanding guy, and he makes terrible, selfish, decisions.  That being said, no one deserves the night he is put through.  While there are many uncomfortable moments, and there is definitely a horror thread which runs throughout, it is still a comedy.  There are scenarios in here which are so ridiculous you can't help but laugh.  It is a truly New York adventure movie, and one that is perfectly bizarre.  It may leave you starching your head, but it will also be hard to tear yourself away from it.
Rating: 3.5/5