Rajeev Masand – movies that matter : from bollywood, hollywood and everywhere else

October 21, 2011

Cast: Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Eva Mendes, Guillaume Canet

Director: Massy Tadjedin

For a film that’s about extra-marital temptation and stars such gorgeous actors, Last Night is anything but sexy. Keira Knightley and Sam Worthington play an upscale Manhattan couple who come home from a party and start bickering when she suspects he’s sharing more than just a professional relationship with his red-hot business colleague, played by Eva Mendes. The next morning he’s off on a work trip to Philadelphia with the very same co-worker; meanwhile back home in New York his missus bumps into a handsome French ex-boyfriend, played by Guillaume Canet, who invites her to dinner.

The film is treated almost like a suspense drama, as it unfolds over the course of that one evening during which each spouse tiptoes towards adultery in intercut scenes. But it all moves so slowly and quietly that you can practically hear the sound of your own snoring. Most people commit adultery because it offers some excitement that’s not available in their regular marital lives, but none of that excitement is on display here. Neither does the film make any important points about marriage or fidelity.

It does come with an interesting ending though, and the acting is competent. But the material’s so slim that the only reason to watch this film ultimately is to appreciate its good-looking cast. I’m going with a generous two out of five for Last Night. Cheating has seldom felt so boring!

(This review first aired on CNN-IBN)