Review of The Overnight (2015) by John M — 11 Mar 2016

Being just 79 minutes, The Overnight feels both rushed and too long. Given how short the runtime is and how simple the story is, the movie never feels completely fleshed out. Because of that, the movie feels detached and less engaging than intended.

This movie, while amusing enough to watch, isn't as transgressive as it thinks, especially given this day and age. It throws out plenty of nudity and dick jokes, but the character is lacking, making a movie even this short feel underdeveloped and somewhat drawn out.

There isn't really a lot to say about The Overnight since not much really happens or develops. It kind of feels like a short film stretched out into a television pilot. There are definitely bits that are entertaining, but as it supposed ups the ante later on, it just becomes more of the same, just a little dumber.

The script is pretty bare-bones, which contributed to the underdeveloped feeling. Upon reading about the movie, it turns out that some of the dialogue was improv, and it shows in how there's an underlying aimlessness to everything that happens or is said.

The performances are fine, but Jason Schwartzman needs to break out from the pretentious hipster schtick; it's beginning to feel tired. Taylor Schilling is probably the strongest link here, overshadowing Adam Scott's surprisingly just-okay performance.

The Overnight isn't a movie that I'd recommend, but I wouldn't avoid it like the plague or anything. Two of the four other people in my showing were laughing a fair amount, so it's bound to work for some people.

It's just that with this cast and short duration, this really should have felt more exciting and fun, not to mention briskly funny. Instead, it's just amusing on occasion. 5.7/10, meh, two thumbs down, below average, etc.