"Leaving Las Vegas", an uncompromisingly artistic film that attracted a sizable audience and garnered many critics' awards and four Oscar nominations, is a hard act to follow. But filmmaker Mike Figgis has come through with another insightful, absorbing romantic drama with superb performances and a sense of humor that helps make its serious agenda more palatable to mainstream moviegoers.
Marred only by a tricky conclusion that's a letdown after the intensity of what has already transpired, New Line's "One Night Stand" should appeal to the adult audience that can push such moody works as Figgis' "Vegas" and "When a Man Loves a Woman" into the Hollywood hit parade. Critical support should be there from the start, and possible honors in the ensuing months will come in handy down the ancillary pipeline.
Wesley Snipes, as a successful married man who cheats on his wife one lonely night and goes through a soul-searching period in the aftermath, joins Oscar winner Nicolas Cage of "Leaving Las Vegas" and Richard Gere of "Mr. Jones" as another Figgis male lead on the brink of chaos redeemed through the love of a good woman.
It's a reliable gambit when the level of craftsmanship is this high and the writing so strong. Originally a script by Joe Eszterhas, the project has been refashioned by co-producer Figgis, who once again composes the film's score and is reunited behind the camera with "Vegas" alums co-producer Annie Stewart, cinematographer Declan Quinn, production designer Waldemar Kalinowski and editor John Smith.
Although one subplot, involving Robert Downey Jr. as a performance artist dying of AIDS, becomes central to the mostly somber and reflective scenario, "Stand" is primarily a character study of successful commercial director Max Carlyle (Snipes), who introduces himself to the audience in an informal opening sequence and occasionally interjects brief narration.
In New York on business, West Coast convert Max visits his HIV-positive friend and former business partner Charlie (Downey). They have an awkward reunion, with Max acting content but radiating unease, while Charlie is in denial about the grim future that awaits him. Back at the hotel, Max has a minor mishap with a friendly woman, Karen (Nastassja Kinski), who shares his passion for the Juilliard String Quartet and is married to Charlie's brother (Kyle MacLachlan).
Manhattan traffic plays a big part in Max staying an extra day and joining Karen at a concert, after which they are held up at knifepoint, escaping rattled but OK. Without a place to stay, he sleeps in her room. In the wee hours, she has a nightmare and his comforting her turns into them making love.
Safely back in Los Angeles, Max wants to be honest but is smothered with attention by his wife (Ming-Na Wen), and family life almost returns to normal. Time goes by and Charlie's condition becomes terminal. When Max returns to New York, he's faced with temptation again. But the painful, sad-to-watch demise of Charlie gets to Max, and his good manners and gentile demeanor are tested when he encounters homophobia, callousness and the possibility of another tryst with Karen.
Aside from the ending, the film is also mildly disappointing because of Kinski's somewhat enigmatic character, who is not given equal attention. Downey is haunting and wily in his passionate portrayal of a scared but courageous victim. Julian Sands, Glenn Plummer and Amanda Donohoe are solid in supporting roles, while Sony Pictures head John Calley and Figgis himself are memorable in cameos.
ONE NIGHT STAND
New Line Cinema
A Red Mullet production
Writer-director: Mike Figgis
Producers: Mike Figgis, Annie Stewart, Ben Myron
Executive producer: Robert Engelman
Co-executive producers: Michael DeLuca, Richard Saperstein
Director of photography: Declan Quinn
Production designer: Waldemar Kalinowski
Costume designers: Laura Goldsmith, Enid Harris
Editor: John Smith
Music: Mike Figgis
Casting: Nancy Foy
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Carlyle: Wesley Snipes
Karen: Nastassja Kinski
Charlie: Robert Downey Jr.
Mimi: Ming-Na Wen
Vernon: Kyle MacLachlan
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Marred only by a tricky conclusion that's a letdown after the intensity of what has already transpired, New Line's "One Night Stand" should appeal to the adult audience that can push such moody works as Figgis' "Vegas" and "When a Man Loves a Woman" into the Hollywood hit parade. Critical support should be there from the start, and possible honors in the ensuing months will come in handy down the ancillary pipeline.
Wesley Snipes, as a successful married man who cheats on his wife one lonely night and goes through a soul-searching period in the aftermath, joins Oscar winner Nicolas Cage of "Leaving Las Vegas" and Richard Gere of "Mr. Jones" as another Figgis male lead on the brink of chaos redeemed through the love of a good woman.
It's a reliable gambit when the level of craftsmanship is this high and the writing so strong. Originally a script by Joe Eszterhas, the project has been refashioned by co-producer Figgis, who once again composes the film's score and is reunited behind the camera with "Vegas" alums co-producer Annie Stewart, cinematographer Declan Quinn, production designer Waldemar Kalinowski and editor John Smith.
Although one subplot, involving Robert Downey Jr. as a performance artist dying of AIDS, becomes central to the mostly somber and reflective scenario, "Stand" is primarily a character study of successful commercial director Max Carlyle (Snipes), who introduces himself to the audience in an informal opening sequence and occasionally interjects brief narration.
In New York on business, West Coast convert Max visits his HIV-positive friend and former business partner Charlie (Downey). They have an awkward reunion, with Max acting content but radiating unease, while Charlie is in denial about the grim future that awaits him. Back at the hotel, Max has a minor mishap with a friendly woman, Karen (Nastassja Kinski), who shares his passion for the Juilliard String Quartet and is married to Charlie's brother (Kyle MacLachlan).
Manhattan traffic plays a big part in Max staying an extra day and joining Karen at a concert, after which they are held up at knifepoint, escaping rattled but OK. Without a place to stay, he sleeps in her room. In the wee hours, she has a nightmare and his comforting her turns into them making love.
Safely back in Los Angeles, Max wants to be honest but is smothered with attention by his wife (Ming-Na Wen), and family life almost returns to normal. Time goes by and Charlie's condition becomes terminal. When Max returns to New York, he's faced with temptation again. But the painful, sad-to-watch demise of Charlie gets to Max, and his good manners and gentile demeanor are tested when he encounters homophobia, callousness and the possibility of another tryst with Karen.
Aside from the ending, the film is also mildly disappointing because of Kinski's somewhat enigmatic character, who is not given equal attention. Downey is haunting and wily in his passionate portrayal of a scared but courageous victim. Julian Sands, Glenn Plummer and Amanda Donohoe are solid in supporting roles, while Sony Pictures head John Calley and Figgis himself are memorable in cameos.
ONE NIGHT STAND
New Line Cinema
A Red Mullet production
Writer-director: Mike Figgis
Producers: Mike Figgis, Annie Stewart, Ben Myron
Executive producer: Robert Engelman
Co-executive producers: Michael DeLuca, Richard Saperstein
Director of photography: Declan Quinn
Production designer: Waldemar Kalinowski
Costume designers: Laura Goldsmith, Enid Harris
Editor: John Smith
Music: Mike Figgis
Casting: Nancy Foy
Color/stereo
Cast:
Max Carlyle: Wesley Snipes
Karen: Nastassja Kinski
Charlie: Robert Downey Jr.
Mimi: Ming-Na Wen
Vernon: Kyle MacLachlan
Running time -- 102 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 11/14/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.