THE REMAKE’S STILL ‘ABOUT’ LOVE AND SEX
‘About Last Night” is now about African-Americans. That’s the biggest and most obvious new spin in the remake of the 1986 film. But star Kevin Hart says the racial switch “changes nothing.”
“We’re still telling a universal story about the ups and downs of dating,”
Hart says — though the 21st century
version updates romance to include modern
staples like sexting, hookup apps and friends
with benefits. Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant take
over Rob Lowe and Demi Moore’s roles
as lovers trying to turn a one-night stand in to a longterm bond. Hart (co-star of the hit comedy “Ride Along”) and Regina Hall assume the roles, played in ’86 by Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins, of the leads’ respective BFFs, who make their own love- hate connection.
“The story hits the same beats, but as black people, we bring a certain rhythm, ”says Hall, offering her take on the update, which, like the original, is based onthe David Mamet play “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.” Director Steve Pink is white — but he was extremely happy to work blue. His remake is even randier than the original, which is hard to do when you’ve got Demi Moore, Rob Lowe, no clothes and a shower.
“When you’re dealing with explicit sex, if it’s funny, you can getaway with a lot,” says Pink, best known for “Hot Tub Time Machine.”
Hart and Hall’s assignations are down and dirty —including a quickie in a nightclub’s bathroom stall. But it’s still a Valentine’s Day date movie, she says.
“It’s something couples can see together,” she says, “then can go get aburger, andthen have some butt naked sex!”