A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988)

A recent high school graduate is faced with two options, either go to a business school where his father wants him to go to, or get a full time job. However he decides to defy his father ... See full summary »

Director:

William Richert

Writer:

William Richert (novel)

Stars:

River Phoenix, Ann Magnuson, Meredith Salenger

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
River Phoenix	...	Jimmy Reardon
Ann Magnuson	...	Joyce Fickett
Meredith Salenger	...	Lisa Bentwright
Ione Skye	...	Denise Hunter
Louanne	...	Suzie Middleberg
Matthew Perry	...	Fred Roberts (as Matthew L. Perry)
Paul Koslo	...	Al Reardon
Jane Hallaren	...	Faye Reardon
Jason Court	...	Mathew Hollander
James Deuter	...	Mr. Spaulding
Marji Banks	...	Emma Spaulding
Margaret Moore	...	Mrs. Bentwright
Anastasia Fielding	...	Elaine
Kamie Harper	...	Rosie Reardon
Johnny Galecki	...	Toby Reardon

Storyline

A recent high school graduate is faced with two options, either go to a business school where his father wants him to go to, or get a full time job. However he decides to defy his father and go to Hawaii. Trouble is he has no money. Along the way he comes to understand his parents and eventually bonds with his father.

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Plot Keywords:

chicago illinois | 1960s | adaptation directed by original author | car accident | sex | 

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Taglines:

River Pheonix is Jimmy Reardon.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 July 1988 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Aren't You Even Gonna Kiss Me Goodbye?

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$6,264,058 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Island Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movies narration was originally performed by director (William Richert). 20th Century Fox decided the movie would be better geared towards a teen audience and Richert's narration sounded 'too grandfather like'. After much debating with Richert, (River Phoenix) was brought back over a year after the film wrapped to record the narration that would replace that of Richert in the final cut.

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Goofs

When Jimmy and Fred eat at the diner, "Just One Look" is playing. The film is set in 1962; "Just One Look" was released in 1963.

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Quotes

Jimmy Reardon: Al? Al Reardon? My father. My moral, upright, coffee sluping, status seeking, putting in overtime, hard day at the office, early rising, early bedding, make your own way in life father, had been screwing Joyce Fickett! that balding man with responsibilities was an extramarital joy-boy! no wonder i was having so much trouble! It was hereditary!

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Connections

References American Graffiti (1973)

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Soundtracks

"I'M NOT AFRAID TO SAY GOODBYE"
Performed by Johnny Mathis
Courtesy of CBS Records
Lyrics by Don Black
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Produced by Denny Diantz
Arranged by Jeremy Lubbock

User Reviews

'A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon'

This is a film about a boy named Jimmy Reardon. He's at a turning point in his life, and he has no clue as to what path to take. Sound interesting? Not really.

This movie plays off a depth that is non-existent. It's hard to take the main character seriously, when I have no understanding of his view point. Jimmy is shallow and unlikable, and exactly the kind of character you don't want to portray.

I read somewhere that RP's mother strongly hinted that he take this role because he hadn't done a film for over two years. I understand that. And I know that River rose above this kind of film and was almost making works of art, before his sudden and tragic death.

All I can say about this movie is that it's trying to be intellectual, but don't by into it. Only small-minded individuals could find the sexual promiscuity of Jimmy the equivalent of 'art'.

2, just for being a RP film.