SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: Approx. 1 Hr., 34 Min.
Filmed on location in Washington, D.C., Harold Jackson IIII wrote and directed this 2014 independent romantic drama for his American Filmmaker film production company.
After a brief prologue revealing Last Night’s outcome, a flashback reveals the events that had occurred nearly two years earlier. In Washington, D.C., following her last photo shoot, African American fashion model Sky (Johnson) is ambivalent about starting a new life in Raleigh, North Carolina with her boyfriend: Daniel (Greene), an upscale business consultant. With her road trip beginning the next day, a restless Sky goes out for a mid-morning walk stopping for tea at an organic coffee bar. A fellow customer, despondent contract analyst Jon Carter (Gavigan), takes an impulsive chance and doesn’t easily give up flirting with her.
Sky and Jon’s sudden friendship starting out as a short downtown stroll evolves long past nightfall, as they walk the city together. With Jon becoming increasingly distant as her sympathetic listener, Sky is later shown the underlying reason for his moodiness. Despite Jon’s obvious growing attraction, Sky consents to Daniel’s plea to give their relationship a second chance. Yet, what is about Jon that emotionally draws a reluctant Sky towards him?
Meanwhile, in Raleigh, throughout the day, a perturbed Daniel senses Sky’s mixed emotions over the phone. Coping as best as he can with possibly losing Sky, Daniel seeks out old friends for solace. He is in for a late night himself. Inside of twenty-four hours, two romances poignantly unfold – one in Washington, D.C. and the other in Raleigh, N.C. The question becomes: will either love story play out as any of them might hope for?
Sky: Judi Johnson (Judi Blair)
Jonathan “Jon” Carter: Danny Gavigan
Daniel: Benton Greene
Angela: Nedra Marie Taylor
Dorah: Nikkole Salter
Daniel’s Niece: London Perry
Nightclub Singer: Kia El-Amin
Sky’s Photographer: Violetta Markelou
Choncho: Chad Eric Smith
Bartender: Eli El
Sky’s Neighbor: Pasquale Piquion
Salesperson: Jenny Taylor
Rude Customer: Anthony Anderson
Barista: Chaseedaw Giles
REVIEW:
Featuring scenic glimpses of Washington, D.C., Last Night is a nice, low-key treat for fans of indie romantic movies. In spite of his minimal plot being hard-pressed to justify its ninety-minute running time, writer-director Harold Jackson III slickly conveys a well-played love triangle.
Between his indie rock choices (i.e. The Noisettes) for background music, beautifully intercut backdrops of Washington, D.C., and even some archival film clips, Jackson’s film exudes a classy artistic vibe to keep viewers tuned in. Last Night, in that sense, holds up well as a PG-rated flick for adults.
Judi Johnson (aka Judi Blair) anchors the movie with an appealingly down-to-earth lead performance. Johnson’s gentle ‘Sky’ keeps Last Night percolating as a plausible, big city should-I-or-shouldn’t-I romance rather than one subtly exploring interracial dating issues in the 21st Century.
Johnson’s co-lead, Danny Gavigan, meanwhile, conveys his moody ‘Jon Carter’ in a manner reminiscent of John Krasinski’s Jim Halpert on The Office, as ‘Jon’ senses an unexpected soulmate in ‘Sky.’ Hence, Johnson and Gavigan’s on-screen chemistry ensures that the film’s melancholic tone balances romanticism and poignant realism. The backstage dressing room sequence they share with singer Kia El-Amin exemplifies this welcome dramatic asset.
Contributing to the film’s likable aura are co-stars Benton Greene and Nedra Marie Taylor in the parallel storyline, despite being allotted considerably less screen time. Jackson, to his credit, doesn’t short-change this secondary plot, as all four actors concoct equally satisfying performances. It’s easy to imagine how blandly forgettable this film might have been with a lesser cast.
Last Night, suffice to say, is a potential antidote for date movie aficionados seeking respite from the sugary cute-and-sweet formulas The Hallmark Channel deploys.
BONUS FEATURES:
None.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
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