The movie ‘One Night Only’ offers a unique premise that can be likened to a ‘Purge’ scenario for sex. Set in a time when the U.S. government mandates premarital sex as illegal, with a single exception for one night a year, the film begins with a stark message: for the past three years, sex outside of marriage is banned except for an annual 12-hour window. This unusual concept leads to many questions: How is such a policy enforced? Where are the boundaries drawn? And why wouldn’t people simply move to Canada?
Directed by Will Gluck, known for ‘Easy A’ and ‘Anyone But You’, ‘One Night Only’ focuses more on delivering a romantic narrative than exploring its dystopian backdrop. Though it presents itself as a raunchy sex comedy, at its core, it is a rom-com, albeit a tame one. This approach leaves ‘One Night Only’ as a comedy lacking the boldness to probe its satirical premise. Despite this, the film’s leads, Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, bring a charm that makes the movie enjoyable.
The rom-com genre is often discussed regarding its relevance, yet it remains a stage for emerging stars. Turner, previously part of ‘Eternity’, shows his potential as a leading man. ‘One Night Only’ is also an excellent platform for Barbaro, known for her roles in ensemble casts like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’. While the film might not be a highlight in her career, it showcases her ability to lead.
The storyline challenges its audience with the concept that Owen (Turner), who owns a Manhattan pizzeria, and Allie (Barbaro), a singer of pharmaceutical jingles, are unable to find partners on a night designed for encounters. In a twist, Owen’s plans to propose are foiled when his girlfriend decides to seek another partner. Meanwhile, Allie reluctantly joins the night’s events at her friends’ insistence. Their paths cross, setting off a series of adventures across New York City, navigating through clubs and encountering shortages of essentials like condoms.
The screenplay by Travis Braun cleverly critiques modern swipe-right culture, suggesting the difficulty of finding traditional romance. However, ‘One Night Only’ feels constrained, limiting the exploration of its comedic and satirical avenues. The narrative touches upon themes of political intervention in private lives but shifts towards nostalgia, culminating in a climax at a famous New York site.
Ultimately, ‘One Night Only’ neither embraces bawdiness nor achieves true sweetness in its romance. Instead, it succeeds more as a meta commentary on two charismatic actors, Barbaro and Turner, dealing with their screen allure. Cameos from Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and Pete Davidson add star power, ensuring that neither lead has much to worry about. Perhaps future films may explore similar creative concepts.
‘One Night Only’, distributed by Universal Pictures, will be released in theaters on Thursday. Rated R by the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, language, and brief nudity, the film runs for 102 minutes and receives a two-star rating out of four.