It starts with a statement of fact, unbelievable though it may appear. Three years ago, the US government enacted a mandate banning premarital sex, except for one night a year and then only with protection. All is fair in love and war if you are married, but not if you are single. So, you can just imagine that that results in a lot of horny people hanging out for that 12-hour period (7pm to 7am). Still, the results of the ban have been significant. Unwanted teen pregnancies are near zero and sexually transmitted infections have also bottomed out.
Owen (Callum Turner) is a convivial pizza shop owner in New York City, who has had a girlfriend for three years, in which time they have only had sex twice. So, on that one day of the year in year three he buys flowers and plans a nice meal at an upmarket restaurant to start proceedings. In fact, he intends to propose to her. The problem is that he is blindsided when his lady love (Maya Hawke) tells him that this year she wants to experiment with someone else. In fact, she encourages Owen to do the same thing.
Meanwhile, singleton jingle singer Allie (Monica Barbaro) is out to find Mr Right in the same area, someone with whom she has a real connection. Her roommate pushes her to wear a short sparkling cocktail dress with her decolletage in full display, which she reluctantly does. Once he has been dumped for the night by his girlfriend, Owen wanders the streets disconsolate and literally bumps into Allie. But Owen spoils his chances with her in spectacular fashion.
Thereafter, both spend most of 12-hour countdown on a series of disastrous dates, each worse than the previous one. Mind you, in between they keep bumping into each other. The premise may be outrageous, but One Night Only is simply a feel-good rom com. The outcome is obvious from the get go, but that is of no consequence, because it is fun, fanciful and frivolous. I kept thinking of When Harry Met Sally (1989) and how the couple in that movie only got together after having to navigate a series of failed relationships.
This is that on speed dial because they only have 12 hours to make good. Of course, you find yourself in Allie and Owen’s corner all the way, which is just as it should be. While I didn’t totally buy the chemistry between Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, their individual performances were solid rather than spectacular. The best lines are undoubtedly left to the 12-year-old who Allie’s roommate is babysitting. His comic timing is brilliant.
Writer Travis Braun and director Will Gluck wring as many laughs and warm moments as they can from the rather limited material with which they have to work. They have done well in pushing the envelope with a succession of sight gags. Rated M, One Night Only scores a 7 out of 10.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- The Only Living Boy in New York – movie review
- Top Gun: Maverick – movie review
- The Boys in the Boat – movie review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
