by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
Since the debut of The Purge, it has quickly become a shorthand in film parlance to help describe other potential, similar concepts. The idea of some sort of societal or legal rule being shed for one night is enticing to even the most conservatively minded. So, it’s no surprise that when a movie colloquially described as “the sex Purge movie” started making the rounds, ears were perked, interests gained, and attentions grabbed.
One Night Only is set in a world where pre-marital sex is illegal at all times, except for, you guessed it, one night a year. Taking place on the titular night, the film follows quirky singer Allie (Monica Barbaro), and bemused pizza shop owner, Owen (Callum Tuner), as they keep running into each other while on individual quests to find a physical connection before the clock runs out.
The first concern with any romantic comedy is arguably the chemistry, and believability between the two main characters. Do they work well together, can audiences feel the heat, will they make for a satisfying final climax – literally. It’s unfortunate that in this movie’s case, the question as to whether you can simply smoosh two attractive people together, and make magic happen is answered, with a resounding: no. Both Turner and Barbaro are saying their lines right, doing the right looks, executing the right moves, but the metaphorical spark that is oh-so-important in situations like these is mostly missing. Individually they have moments that crack a smile or two through their inherent charm, but this is simply not the magic equation that one is looking for in a viewing experience.
This could also come from the script’s complete lack of genuine moments that audiences could build a relationship on between the two. Given that director Will Gluck’s previous big success stories, Easy A and Anyone But You, are both loosely based on established classics (The Scarlet Letter, and Much Ado About Nothing respectively), it makes one wonder whether his talent lies not in original ideas, but in the modernizations of established tropes. This is especially prevalent when this movie clumsily references the previous ones through forced moments of “charm.”
This lack thereof is also grossly present in the premise itself. Inherently, the idea of a world that legally only allows pre-marital sex one night a year sounds too much like a dystopian nightmare, rather than a setting for a quirky little love story. Too many questions come to mind almost immediately, and unless the movie has the courage to actually address them in a meaningful way, it will result in audiences walking away feeling a severe sense of lacking. That’s not even to mention the big LGBTQ+ elephant in the room. With the film focusing pretty heavily on how this law affects straight people, not just with its choice of main couple, but also with the constant reminders, and call backs to the fact that men must wear physical protection before taking part in the sex act, it’s interesting how the film doesn’t take the time to explain a few glaring elements. Namely things like, how did a law so overwhelmingly “traditional” like this get passed by congress, and yet gay people are still able to be together with no other boundaries. Any reasonable person would surely realize that a world that’s going this dramatic with following through on impeding people’s relationships like this, would likely have already taken away rights from minorities like these. Plus, if physical protection for men is a key element of the “one night rule”, then how does that affect lesbians, or any couple where the male area isn’t a consideration.
This isn’t even taking into account the glaring potential issues in a society that blocks bodily autonomy, such as the likely rampant sexual assault that would happen the moment the ban is lifted, as well as, if in this world married people are exempt from the law, then why doesn’t everyone simply enter marriage of convenience of their choice, and then carry on their life as normal?
While all these questions may either have simple answers or might not even really be relevant for a movie that is meant to simply be a fun little romcom, the reality is that they are present in at least some minds throughout the runtime. So much so that when the big final climax does eventually make its way to the screen, the arbitrary rules of the world are so distracting that it’s impossible to feel truly immersed in that moment.
It ruins the enjoyment of the film. The aforementioned metaphorical elephant completely squashes any enjoyable build-up across the plot because the rules of the world are so lazily waved away, if even explained at all. That’s not even to mention the strange choice to fill the movie with slightly altered 2010’s era pop songs in a desperate attempt to harken back to the romances of yore. However, all this does is add to the shiny, happy sheen the film is desperately trying to push into people’s faces. It doesn’t do the work to get audiences onside or build the main couple into characters that viewers want to see get together in a magical Hollywood ending, but it does try to use nostalgia to trick you.
Not to mention, that for a film that is centered around, focused on, and supposedly all about sex, and the wanton desires surrounding it, it’s surprisingly abstinent in its portrayal. Rather than present a sex-positive message about choice, excitement, and enjoyment, it instead wants the audience to walk away with a seemingly icky feeling towards the act all together. Almost like a baseless rejection of the idea of desire, unless it’s somehow earned through long-term commitment. This is fine as a personal choice, however, feels strange, and almost archaic with the way it’s presented.
Overall, One Night Only is a paint-by-numbers romcom using a truly baffling premise that belongs more in a Handmaid’s Tale what-if storyline than one about two people trying to find their way in the big city. Some may say that it’s not that serious. That this is just meant to be a funny little movie with a funny little premise, which is fine, but it also can’t be denied that for a film that’s meant to be part of the ultimate fun escapist genre, it raises too many questions to allow for an enjoyable journey.
Rating: Really Didn’t Like It
One Night Only is currently in theaters.
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