My sweet, brave Captain America Chris Evans also stars in his own directorial debut, the indie romantic comedy Before We Go, which comes out in a limited theatrical release on Sept. 4. In the film, he plays Nick, a busker, who meets Brooke (Alice Eve) when she just misses her late-night train in Grand Central Station. I live in New York and I've never seen anyone as beautiful as either one of these actors in that building, let alone two at the same time. But anyway, Nick and Brooke's chance encounter becomes an intimate nocturnal adventure that takes them all over New York City. So, is Before We Go based on a true story?
Sadly no, though I'd like to believe that things this spontaneous and romantic happen all the time in this town. Before We Go isn't adapted from a specific, true tale. However, in plot and even in title, the film seems to follow in the footsteps of the 1995 Richard Linklater classic Before Sunrise . This one is a must watch if you enjoy poetic, meandering screenplays and soulmate-level bonding; Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy play two students who meet on a train and decide to spend a night together wandering around Prague. That movie led to two sequels, each one a study of a relationship in motion, at a very specific point in time. But both that trilogy kick-off and Before We Go are in the tradition of those "one amazing night" movies, where characters hook up, break up, become friends or become heroes, all before the sun comes up. Here are just a few others:
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
Michael Cera and Kat Dennings star as two teen super-fans who spend a night running around New York in an attempt to catch the super secret show of their favorite band, Where's Fluffy? Ex-boyfriends, drunk best friends, and a host of other obstacles get in the way, but then again, aren't the obstacles kind of the point?
Can't Hardly Wait
High school is officially over, and that leaves the duration of one last rager for these teens to get wasted and get real before they have to head off to college and grow up — at least a little. The cast is a who's who of '90s teen celebrity, from Seth Green and Clueless's Donald Faison to Jennifer Love Hewitt and Melissa Joan Hart. I can't feel my legs!
Clue
Board games usually don't adapt well into film (just ask Battleship!), but Clue is the exception to the rule. Forever quotable, it's a cult classic that turns family game night into a farcical, all-night murder mystery.
Adventures In Babysitting
For years, rumors circulated that Adventures In Babysitting would be rebooted for a young audience. And though the Disney Channel just revived those plans back in January, I say, the young audience can just rent the 1987 version. In the comedy, Elisabeth Shue goes above and beyond the babysitting call of duty to keep her young charges safe, getting over her lousy, cheating boyfriend at the same time. On the other hand, little Sara's Thor obsession would mean that a Chris Hemsworth cameo would be appropriate. Maybe that remake idea isn't such a terrible idea after all.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
If there's a light over at the Frankenstein Place, just stay in your car and wait for AAA to arrive. Yes, you'd miss an epic, freaky dance party and Tim Curry in fishnet stockings, but there are other things that you just can't un-see.
Dazed & Confused
Another Richard Linklater movie (which had to have inspired Can't Hardly Wait), Dazed & Confused is a study of the freedom and invincibility of youth on the last day of school in the year 1976. Totally of its time and still relatable, Dazed also gave the world Matthew McConaughey's favorite catchphrase to this very day: "Alright, alright, alright!"
Ever had one of those nights? With these movies, you can at least pretend that you have.
Images: Radius-TWC; Giphy (6)
