Review of Two Night Stand (2014) by Patrick M — 06 Oct 2014

So, can a film entitled "Two Night Stand," be life-giving cinema? I think the answer lies in your own personal conscience. The film stars Miles Teller as "Alec" and Analeigh Tipton as "Meghan." Both are lonely and come with a lot of baggage, so they put their hopes into the world of online dating, or in this case, semi-anonymous hook-ups as facilitated by an online dating website. As facile as that plot sounds, it is actually very sweet and vulnerable for both characters. Teller uses his trademark sarcastic wit to elevate the mood and Tipton does a fine job of meeting him eye-to-eye. Long story short, they do hook-up. So, is this just another movie that promotes the "hook-up" culture that can be so problematic in our society? I contend that it is not.

Let me state for the record that this film is no great work of art. It is a mediocre to slightly above average romantic comedy with the good fortune to have Miles Teller in it's cast. Teller dominates most scenes, in a good way. His intimacy with his fellow actors is impeccable as he meets each person head-on wearing his heart on his sleeve, yet covered in the armor of humor and wit. Tipton's character is just coming out of a very long relationship and Teller's "Alec" is supposed to be her rebound. It doesn't quite work out that way and that is why I cannot put this in the category of a hook-up film. There are a long list of raunchy rom-coms and even dramas that are excessively raunchy and with no service to the art.

"Two Night Stand," comes very close at times to flirting with the line between the gratuitous and the edgy. I don't think it ever crosses the line into total gratuitousness. Act one is a pleasant enough experience of getting to know the characters in the midst of their struggles and failings. The film seems on track to being a cliche until the twist comes. A slight twist if not only an explanation of the movies title. Tipton's character, "Meghan" is locked in Alec's apartment due to a devastating blizzard. They spend the next 48 hours getting to know each other. It's not pleasant at first but with the classic Millennial touch, the bong soon comes out and instead of a white-out. It's a smoke-in. They build forts, eat childish food, and laugh. Alec tells Meghan of his distaste for materialism and Meghan admits all she ever really wanted to be is a wife and mother. It's all very nice, but of course there must be an act three.

Without spoiling the film, I will say that act three struck me as the best part of the film. For some strange reason, there is an incongruity that occurred at some point in the film-making process and what we have in act three is actually the funniest part of the film. For most of the film, there's just Alec's wit and Meghan's disgust to satiate our funny bones, but in act three, all of the sudden they up the ante on the humor and Alec and Meghan struggle through revelations that threaten the bond they had just created. One might say that they were falling for each other, as contrived as that may seem for having only known each other such a short time. It's not impossible though. Certainly not.

So, there is some believability here, though I find it hard to believe that a women as gorgeous as Meghan (Tipton) would turn to online dating. Perhaps that is a stereotype too though. Even beautiful women can be shy and socially awkward. This movie is certainly no feminist masterpiece but the female presence is there and not at all weak in this film. So, this is not just a hook-up movie. It is more of a reflection of generational change. While most Millennials don't have any problem with casual sex from time to time or one-nigtht stands in their 20s, most don't go looking for these things and when they do - they know that they are missing out on a much deeper connection they could be forming.

Despite all this, I would not say that this movie has a ton of value to give life and insight to its viewer. There are these brief moments of mutual respect, laughter, and insight into the generation it's treating - these are not consistent nor intense enough for me to be able to recommend this film with enthusiasm. It is a great movie if you are looking for something witty, fun, but deep at times and not dull or amoral (at least not according to realistic standards). I would say this movie will satisfy the hungry heart only so long as the heart is not TOO hungry. Fans of Miles Teller and up-and-comer Analeigh Tipton will enjoy the film. Teller's next release, "Whiplash," has a lot of buzz for awards season. Make sure to keep your eyes on this great talent!