I was born in 1985, so the years I was around in the 80s are a little fuzzy. I don’t even think the people who were around then enjoyed it as much as we enjoy reminiscing about it now. I don’t know about you but the 80s fascinate me — the clothes, the music, the movies — everything seemed like so much fun. If you enjoy the 80s as much as I do, “Take Me Home Tonight” is the perfect film for you.
“Take Me Home Tonight” stars Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Teresa Palmer and Dan Fogler. It is directed by Michael Dowse who is not a household name but may be if this movie is as successful as it should be. It is the story of Matt (Grace), an MIT graduate who has done nothing with his engineering degree and, instead, works a dead end job at Suncoast Video.
In classic 80s film fashion (see “Can’t Buy Me Love” or “Just One of the Guys”) his high-school crush, Tori (Palmer) shows up at his store and he “brilliantly” uses this as an opportunity to impress her by lying and saying he’s a successful banker for a giant company. Everything culminates in an opportunity to dazzle her at a house party thrown by a popular jock, but will his lies unfold before he has the chance to do so?
There were never too many 80s clichés in this movie — they only add to the nostalgic charm it possesses. Quite frankly, it’s the best movie set in the 80s since “The Wedding Singer.” Is there a sentimental scene in the film? Yes, and even better, it’s accompanied by “Betty Davis Eyes.” Is there a scene where two friends are singing in a car? Yes, but they’re not singing, they’re the two whitest boys ever hilariously rapping NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton.” The music in the film creates the perfect mood for every scene in a way only 80s music can. It also helps that everyone’s hairstyle is pretty ridiculous and that the characters say things like, “That was totally choice!”
At the heart of the film, however, are captivating, entertaining stories, which make it one of those special breed of comedies that is sweet and heartfelt as well as hilarious. Matt needs to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life, because at this point he’s too afraid to take any chances. His sister, Wendy (Faris), must also decide if she’s going to remain a big fish in a little bowl who is going to marry and become a housewife or take a chance to pursue her passion of writing. And, Barry (Fogler), who just got fired from his job must try to move on from that disappointment and figure out what he’s going to do next. All these things play out in the midst of two parties, some encounters with cocaine, a dance-off, run-ins with the cops, and a crazy, giant metal ball apparatus, which someone is supposed to climb into and ride down a hill. It’s 80s madness galore, and it’s great.
Topher Grace, who also co-created the story for the film, shines in this role, which makes you wonder that perhaps the ex-“That 70’s Show” protagonist is most comfortable in works set in other decades. Overall, the entire cast did a great job allowing this film to be something spectacular when it could have easily gone another direction. I would watch this one again in theaters, if only for those magical moments in which the unforgettable 80s music elevates scenes to memorable heights. Definitely go out and see this as soon as you can.
