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That's how a new employee dismisses the job he's being taught to do by Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), the one who has been stuck doing that job for seemingly all his life. But Hackett doesn't want to be stuck doing that either, so when an opportunity to break out from his tedious routine presents in the form of a mysterious woman, he jumps at the chance.
After Hours follows Hackett's misadventures as he heads into that rendezvous with Marcy (Rosanna Arquette) and as he eventually tries to make his way back home. Through the night he encounters himself in all kinds of weird, bizarre, and absurd situations which range from his only $20 bill flying out of the taxi window to being pursued around the neighborhood by a lynch mob after being suspect of burglary and murder.
The film's central plot of someone having a long, sh!tty night isn't new, but I really liked the way that Dunne's character went on about it. Pretty early on, he realizes "Yup, I better go home" but just keeps finding himself stuck in situations that become more dangerous and/or outlandish as the film goes on. I thought Dunne's performance was pretty good, and he managed to play off really well off of the many actors he interacts with.
Aside from the performances, I really enjoyed the film's vibe. It has that weird mixture of thriller, absurdist comedy, with even some hints of film noir. I also find it interesting the way that fate keeps playing against Paul by not allowing him any "pleasures" so to speak. He's like Sisyphus, forced to push that boulder up a hill over and over and over.
Those that know me, know that I've never been a very big Scorsese fan. As much as I respect the man, his knowledge and craft, most of his films don't really stick with me or don't really hit me on a deeper level. Despite that, I decided to do an episode of my podcast on Scorsese which is why, before recording, I'm trying to catch up with as many of his films as I can; at least for that episode. I do not intend to be stuck doing this for the rest of my life.
Grade:
AFTER HOURS
(1985, Scorsese)
(1985, Scorsese)
"It's temporary anyway. I do not intend to be stuck doing this for the rest of my life."
That's how a new employee dismisses the job he's being taught to do by Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne), the one who has been stuck doing that job for seemingly all his life. But Hackett doesn't want to be stuck doing that either, so when an opportunity to break out from his tedious routine presents in the form of a mysterious woman, he jumps at the chance.
After Hours follows Hackett's misadventures as he heads into that rendezvous with Marcy (Rosanna Arquette) and as he eventually tries to make his way back home. Through the night he encounters himself in all kinds of weird, bizarre, and absurd situations which range from his only $20 bill flying out of the taxi window to being pursued around the neighborhood by a lynch mob after being suspect of burglary and murder.
The film's central plot of someone having a long, sh!tty night isn't new, but I really liked the way that Dunne's character went on about it. Pretty early on, he realizes "Yup, I better go home" but just keeps finding himself stuck in situations that become more dangerous and/or outlandish as the film goes on. I thought Dunne's performance was pretty good, and he managed to play off really well off of the many actors he interacts with.
Aside from the performances, I really enjoyed the film's vibe. It has that weird mixture of thriller, absurdist comedy, with even some hints of film noir. I also find it interesting the way that fate keeps playing against Paul by not allowing him any "pleasures" so to speak. He's like Sisyphus, forced to push that boulder up a hill over and over and over.
Those that know me, know that I've never been a very big Scorsese fan. As much as I respect the man, his knowledge and craft, most of his films don't really stick with me or don't really hit me on a deeper level. Despite that, I decided to do an episode of my podcast on Scorsese which is why, before recording, I'm trying to catch up with as many of his films as I can; at least for that episode. I do not intend to be stuck doing this for the rest of my life.
Grade: