Review of Take Me Home Tonight (2011) by Christian C — 20 Nov 2011

If there's one thing you need to know about me it's that I'm a Sucker (Capital "S") for Throwback 80's movies with AWESOME 80's Soundtracks. Throw in my buddy Dan Fogler, is there any wonder why this movie was hilarious in my eyes? Yet for some reason it was critically panned and generally received nothing but negative reviews from film critics, not to mention only generating a pitiful 7 million dollars at the box office, no way near recovering it's total budget of near 20 million. Still, I'm not in the business to worry why this was a flop at the Box Office or why Film Critics don't think highly of these types of films....I'm in the business of watchin, reacting and enjoying. So my reaction to "Take Me Home Tonight"....I miss the 80's, I loved this film and it's soundtrack....

There were a lot of things that made the 80's magical: Wham!, jelly bracelets, Pac-Man, AquaNet, The Coreys. When you think of film in the 80's, one conjures up a special, almost magical, feeling ie. The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, Labyrinth, Weekend at Bernies (yea, Weekend at Bernie's).

This 80's movie homage actually is just that: a tribute to the youth films of the 80's and it does a pretty good job. It actually feels like a film from that decade (like something John Hughes might have produced) and not just a send-up or satire of it (like the advertisements sort of implied). Topher Grace stars in the film as well as executive produced and co-wrote it (with Gordon Kaywin and Jackie and Jeff Filgo). Michael Dowse (who also directed the popular 'headbanger' film 'FUBAR' and it's sequel) directed. Teresa Palmer, Dan Fogler, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt and Michael Biehn co-star in the flick.

The film is set in the summer of 1988 after Matt Franklin (Grace) just graduated from MIT. Instead of pursuing a high paying career like his education entitles him to he takes a part time job as a video store clerk at the local Suncoast Video store in the mall, much to the disappointment of his father Bill (Biehn) who's also a local police officer. Matt is scared and completely unsure of what he wants to do with his life, all until his old high school crush, Tori Fredreking (Palmer), comes back into town and into the store where he works. Matt lies to Tori and tells her he works for Goldman Sachs. Tori is impressed and invites him to a Labor Day party hosted by his twin sister Wendy's (Faris) boyfriend Kyle Masterson (Pratt). Matt goes to the party with Wendy and his best friend Barry (Fogler) and all hell breaks loose when Barry steals a car from the dealership he was fired from the same day.

The movie really does have a classic 80's nostalgic feel to it and like I said it feels like a movie out of that time period rather than just a comedic reference to it. The script is somewhat smart and emotional and the characters are really well developed. Topher Grace and Theresa Palmer do a phenomenal job and have a great chemistry and it worked so well in this movie. Topher Grace is very fitting as the film's lead, Palmer looks absolutely beautiful and is equally fitting, not to mention, you can't stop thinking whether or not Theresa Palmer is really the same person as Kristen Stewart. Dan Fogler is in his usual form and does not disappoint. Fogler by far steals the show in alot of ways...Just plain hilarious. The Immensely Talented Anna Faris is under-utilized and so is Chris Pratt. Michael Biehn (who's the perfect 80's icon touch, with nerds) give nice supporting performances. Also, Demetri Martin adds a hilarious Cameo to the mix.The soundtrack adds a wonderful touch as well, Just seems the right song comes at the right time and doesn't feel forced like "Adventureland" and their soundtrack.

The film does a good job of pulling off a classic 80's throwback feel and definitely accomplishes what it set out to do. Topher Grace revealed that the heavy drug use in the film caused the delayed release. An over 4 year delay.... Grace and director Michael Dowse wanted to "do something that felt like it was literally made in the '80s" and not a parody of that generation. Grace believed it wouldn't be the 80's without heavy cocaine use, so there was "real hesitation" on part of the studios. The film ended up sitting on the shelf until Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment came to the rescue. According to Grace, they even ended up "putting stuff back" in the film, rather than having to cut. Take Me Home Tonight is an excellent homage to 80's movies that we've all come to know and love. The soundtrack alone is reason to see it. Perfectly picked songs perfectly placed. It hits on every classic 80's movie moment. The unattainable girl, the pursuit of said girl, the crazy "No Way" moments, the best friends that get themselves into/out of those moments, the best friend/comedic relief, the massive party that everyone attends, which makes for the best night of your life. If your a fan of the 80's check this film out.

Also, Check out the Hilarious Video from Atomic Tom "Don't You Want Me" in the Special Features of the Blu-ray/DVD of "Take Me Home Tonight".