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

Matthew Perry's movie debut.

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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: Jesus, Fred; do you always have to drive nine miles an hour?
Fred Roberts: Hey, i don't need to drive fast to get my kicks.
Suzie Middleberg: How do you get your kicks?
Denise Hunter: He reads.

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Connections

References A Summer Place (1959)

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Soundtracks

"I'M A MAN"
Written and Performed by Bo Diddley
Courtesy of MCA Records
Copyright Arc Music BMI

User Reviews

Self Indulgent Brat

William Richert directed and wrote the novel as a youngster on which A Night In The Life Of Jimmy Reardon is based. Sad to say he failed to capture whatever charm there was in the book for his lead character. As River Phoenix plays him, Jimmy is spoiled, hedonistic, self-indulgent, and a liar. Maybe he should have gone into politics.

Richert wrote the book in the Sixties and that's where the film is set, a rich suburb of Chicago. Phoenix as Jimmy Reardon is spoiled kid who has sex more on his mind than anything else, not atypical for someone his age. He's a chick magnet even when he's not trying.

What this one wants to do is somehow get an airline ticket to Hawaii where he believes he can be a beachcomber and live off tourists. His father, Paul Koslo, wants him to go to school or get a job, the nerve of the man. So Phoenix hatches this scheme to somehow get enough money in the next 24 hours to fly to Hawaii or its either, the street, a job, or school. That is if the women can leave him alone, which apparently they can't.

Including one cougar who is deliciously played by Ann Magnuson, she's the best thing in the film.

River Phoenix's fans usually consider this one of, if not the worst film of his short career. I'm inclined to agree with them. River is certainly sexy enough in this film, but he's so incredibly dislikeable in this part.