When It was first released in 1981, this film was dismissed as a disaster !! Most critics disliked and or dismissed it.. audiences stayed away...STREISAND was criticized for not only being miscast but replacing Lisa Eichorn who was fired... Streisand was repaying a favor for agent Sue Mengers/ & this was not a typical Streisand film..no singing. no hit record associated with it/ no directorial or producing chores done by Babs here..This was a small movie,about the mid life crisis of the main character played very well by Gene Hackman ! He needs a change from his job, his nagging wife, played by Diane Ladd, and his annoying son, Dennis Quaid... Along comes,sexy, blonde, Cheryl riding her motor bike..an atypical role portrayed by Streisand.. and Hackmans life progressively is altered. Streisand is excellent in this role, she totally loses all the Streisand mannerisms& personna that she is famous for,: she is not Fanny, not Dolly, not Katie or even Esther, she is Cheryl, with a hint of Marilyn Monroe, even sings off key... gives a very believable performance..much underrated!!!The film is short,sweet and to the point not a great movie, but certainly not the disaster thought to be..nicley directed by Jean Claude Tramont with a European flair...Hackman is really wonderful in his role and there is a nice chemistry between the leads...Give it a chance you wont be disappointed!!
21 Reviews
It has a certain charm about it.
Hey_Sweden8 November 2019
Gene Hackman is completely winning as George Dupler, an average Joe who vents after repeatedly being passed over for promotion in his company. So he gets demoted to managing an all-night drugstore - a place with a decidedly weird clientele. He buys some trouble for himself when he pursues new acquaintance Cheryl Gibbons (Barbra Streisand), who's already been getting it on with Georges' teenage son Freddie (Dennis Quaid)!
Overall, an interesting venture for the stars that didn't really deserve to bomb so mightily in its time. It's flawed, to be sure (for one thing, it's not completely resolved to any real satisfaction), but it has a certain endearing quality. In that sense, it's much like the unconventional casting of Streisand here, who was a replacement for Lisa Eichhorn. (Supposedly, Gene and Lisa did not get along, which is one reason given why the switch was made.) But Babs is fairly likeable here, and much of the cast does fine work. "All Night Long" is just offbeat and loopy enough to be watchable, although it works better when depicting the strange folk who come out at night, rather than the romance at the centre of the plot. (The screenplay is by W.D. Richter, who more often than not has specialized in offbeat tales, like his directorial debut, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai in the Eighth Dimension".)
Hackman is the main reason to watch. He's at his most engaging, playing this middle aged man dealing with the various setbacks and nuances at this stage in his life. But there's a steady parade of familiar faces in supporting and bit parts to perk things up: Kevin Dobson, William Daniels, Hamilton Camp, Ann Doran, Raleigh Bond, Tandy Cronyn, Terry Kiser, Vernee Watson, Chris Mulkey, Richard Stahl, Bonnie Bartlett, etc.
In the almost 40 years since this release, Gene and Babs have expressed negativity towards the film if they indeed acknowledged it at all. And many Streisand fans denote it as a low point in her career. But the casual movie watcher might not be so harsh, and see this for what it is: a harmless, amiable trifle.
Six out of 10.
Overall, an interesting venture for the stars that didn't really deserve to bomb so mightily in its time. It's flawed, to be sure (for one thing, it's not completely resolved to any real satisfaction), but it has a certain endearing quality. In that sense, it's much like the unconventional casting of Streisand here, who was a replacement for Lisa Eichhorn. (Supposedly, Gene and Lisa did not get along, which is one reason given why the switch was made.) But Babs is fairly likeable here, and much of the cast does fine work. "All Night Long" is just offbeat and loopy enough to be watchable, although it works better when depicting the strange folk who come out at night, rather than the romance at the centre of the plot. (The screenplay is by W.D. Richter, who more often than not has specialized in offbeat tales, like his directorial debut, "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai in the Eighth Dimension".)
Hackman is the main reason to watch. He's at his most engaging, playing this middle aged man dealing with the various setbacks and nuances at this stage in his life. But there's a steady parade of familiar faces in supporting and bit parts to perk things up: Kevin Dobson, William Daniels, Hamilton Camp, Ann Doran, Raleigh Bond, Tandy Cronyn, Terry Kiser, Vernee Watson, Chris Mulkey, Richard Stahl, Bonnie Bartlett, etc.
In the almost 40 years since this release, Gene and Babs have expressed negativity towards the film if they indeed acknowledged it at all. And many Streisand fans denote it as a low point in her career. But the casual movie watcher might not be so harsh, and see this for what it is: a harmless, amiable trifle.
Six out of 10.
Unique and underrated
robb_77220 April 2006
A huge box office bomb upon release, ALL NIGHT LONG has been criticized by many for it's uncomfortable mix of odd-ball comedy and quaint slice-of-life drama. Though it received some positive reviews (most notably from Pauline Kael and ROLLING STONE magazine), most mainstream critics hated it and audiences all but completely ignored it. It is also often cited by most of Streisand's die-hard fans as their least favorite film of the actress. While the film is certainly not without it's flaws, I have interestingly always thought ALL NIGHT LONG contained somewhat of a bizarre charm, and I've always wished it would receive a re-evaluation from the film-going public.
As mentioned before, the film has it's problems. It's paced too leisurely (it's only 90-minutes in length, but feels more like two-and-a-half hours), Jean-Claude Tramont's direction is too light (the film needs more of a thematic punch in several scenes), and much of it's humor is surprisingly too subtle (odd seeing that most film comedies have the opposite problem). Having said all of that, the film is still worth checking out. Though Tramont's direction may be a tad too limp, his skewed perception of the American dream gives the film a dreamy, almost art house-like feel that makes the film more inherently interesting than the screen play would merit alone.
Also, the varied cast is a lot of fun, almost all of them playing against type. Gene Hackman brings a equal mix of unusual serenity and touching pathos to his role of the would-be inventor who manages to find his true self by losing nearly everything that was once-important in his life. In an early role, Dennis Quaid throws himself completely into part of Hackman's airheaded son, making the intelligent personae he would develop in later films like DREAMSCAPE and THE BIG EASY even more impressive. Barbra Streisand is clearly miscast the role of the bimbo housewife who woos both Hackman and Quaid (Streisand replaced Lisa Eichhorn, who was fired from the film after two weeks of production), but her performance is still worth catching. Though she's never totally believable as Cheryl (a role that was poorly-defined in the screenplay to begin with), she is still a very likable, always watchable, and occasionally an endearing presence in a unusual little film that deserves a second chance.
As mentioned before, the film has it's problems. It's paced too leisurely (it's only 90-minutes in length, but feels more like two-and-a-half hours), Jean-Claude Tramont's direction is too light (the film needs more of a thematic punch in several scenes), and much of it's humor is surprisingly too subtle (odd seeing that most film comedies have the opposite problem). Having said all of that, the film is still worth checking out. Though Tramont's direction may be a tad too limp, his skewed perception of the American dream gives the film a dreamy, almost art house-like feel that makes the film more inherently interesting than the screen play would merit alone.
Also, the varied cast is a lot of fun, almost all of them playing against type. Gene Hackman brings a equal mix of unusual serenity and touching pathos to his role of the would-be inventor who manages to find his true self by losing nearly everything that was once-important in his life. In an early role, Dennis Quaid throws himself completely into part of Hackman's airheaded son, making the intelligent personae he would develop in later films like DREAMSCAPE and THE BIG EASY even more impressive. Barbra Streisand is clearly miscast the role of the bimbo housewife who woos both Hackman and Quaid (Streisand replaced Lisa Eichhorn, who was fired from the film after two weeks of production), but her performance is still worth catching. Though she's never totally believable as Cheryl (a role that was poorly-defined in the screenplay to begin with), she is still a very likable, always watchable, and occasionally an endearing presence in a unusual little film that deserves a second chance.
Double lives in suburbia...
moonspinner553 September 2006
Stuck-in-a-rut businessman Gene Hackman gets fed up with the rat race after being demoted from company executive to manager of an all-night convenience store. He longs to be an inventor (he creates a reverse-image mirror), and ends up divorcing his non-supportive wife over speculation he's having an affair with his teenage son's married girlfriend, a flighty sexpot in lavender chiffon. Comedy-drama has some early promise but not enough jokes, and it starts to sag just 40 minutes in. Hackman displays his effortless charm, and Barbra Streisand attempts something offbeat--though it's a gamble which doesn't quite pay off, as we never get a grip on her wispy Cheryl. The picture is a cracked egg: interesting conception and design, yet unsatisfactory. There are a handful of funny lines and trenchant bits of satire scattered about, and every scene in the drug store is ripe with possibilities which are then left unformed and unrealized. *1/2 from ****
Not very funny black comedy
filmguy914 May 2003
Hackman is a demoted chain store executive who is banished to the grave yard shift at one of the chain's drug stores. Just when it seems things couldn't get any worse for him he discovers his teenage son (Dennis Quaid) is having an affair with a sexy relative (Streisand). When Streisand starts making the moves on an already depressed Hackman it's only a matter of time before his jealous son let's the cat out of the bag. This is a very dark comedy. There are no real laughs. It is also not one of Barbra's best performances. She even sings a song purposely bad. Not one for the time capsule, though members of the Streisand Fan Club may make excuses for it.
Deserves to Be Seen!!
olddiscs23 February 2002
This is not a typical Streisand film for Streisand fans!!/ This is a very good comedy drama about mid life crisis. Gene Hackman is the guy in this quandry...He wants to hold onto to his fast fading youth change his career, his marital situation etc... problems with his nagging wife, Diane Ladd, and his difficult son, Dennis Quaid, leads him to the arms of Cheryl , BLONDE SEXY CHERYL, PORTRAYED BEAUTIFULLY BY STREISAND !!. Not Fanny Brice, or Dolly Levi, or even Katie.. this is a different totally different Streisand in a beautiful subtle comic performance...She's like a subdued Marilyn Monroe, and plays the part so well you totally forget its Bab! Thats acting world, and she should have been praised ,not panned for this performance !! Hackman is excellent, & the entire cast plays their roles well. Not a great movie, but certainly not the disaster most critics declared it to be.. nice enjoyable adult comedy, with a an interesting slant on a mid life crisis.Deserves to be seen !! When I saw this film opening day in NJ,,there were about 15 people in theatre... critics had already killed it, unfairly... go see for yourself!!
Unfocused and too offbeat but not a total bomb
preppy-314 September 2010
Gene Hackman plays a man who was just fired from his executive job. He's demoted to being the night manager at a 24 hour drug store. He doesn't get along with his wife (Diane Ladd) or his 18 year old son Freddie (played by 26 year old Dennis Quaid). Freddie is sleeping around with his 4th cousin Cheryl (Barbra Streisand). George tries to put a stop to it and Cheryl dumps Freddie and starts sleeping with him! This is a strange one. It came out in 1981 and bombed immediately. It had a lot of bad publicity with Lisa Eichorn being fired and replaced with Streisand. Also Streisand re-wrote the entire script to make her part bigger. She wanted to try something different with this movie. That's fine but why redo the script? This story was about George and his dealing with being fired and being middle-aged--Streisand should have left the script alone. As it is it's a terribly uneven movie--veering wildly from drama to comedy. The drama is pretty heavy and the comedy is, at best, subtle. It was pushed as a romantic comedy which it certainly was not. However it was never dull and works as a mild dramady. W.D. Richter wrote the original screenplay and he always writes (and directs) offbeat movies so this being a strange movie makes sense.
Acting is all over the map. Streisand (wearing a blonde wig) plays her role in a muted way. She only sings one song (badly) and doesn't play the tough-acting role she's well known for. She tries for something different but it doesn't work. Hackman is just great in his role--he really brings the movie to life. Ladd is hardly in this and Quaid is WAY too old for his role--and looks it. So it is uneven and strange but worth a look. I give it a 5.
Acting is all over the map. Streisand (wearing a blonde wig) plays her role in a muted way. She only sings one song (badly) and doesn't play the tough-acting role she's well known for. She tries for something different but it doesn't work. Hackman is just great in his role--he really brings the movie to life. Ladd is hardly in this and Quaid is WAY too old for his role--and looks it. So it is uneven and strange but worth a look. I give it a 5.
1981's spaced out odyssey
ptb-83 February 2006
This small comedy with a galaxy of Jupiter sized personalities became the comedy Armageddon of it's day. Actually quite funny and now a curiosity piece - albeit forgotten, it is even a surprise to Streisand fans that it exists. I saw it on a 'rescue mission' double feature with CONTINENTAL DIVIDE where these two brief comedies that had a brief release mopped up whatever box office was possible as a duo. Sreisand and Belushi together! Well the box office in Australia actually played a happy tune and this double feature became a sleeper hit for a month or so early in 1982. Then video struck, cinemas closed and that was the end of that. As a suburban farce with "ordinary people characters" played by Oscar winners, it was slumming it a bit (like Fred and Ginger in FOLLOW THE FLEET) but odd enough and with a sprinkling of good laughs worked well enough. Like FOR PETE'S SAKE in 1974, seeing Streisand coupled with ungainly love interest, all set in low income apartments and with blue collar jobs, seems strange after the DOLLY and Fanny glamour...but.... ALL NIGHT LONG as 'the other Streisand film you've never seen' does deserve a better profile... and compared to Adam Sandler comedies is positively a masterpiece of hilarity. Actually it's a wonder we don't get the ANL remake with him and Drew Barrymore... stranger things have happened (MR DEEDS anyone? no? funny about that...) Apparently Streisand was paid $8million, upping the budget to $12 million......!! work that production cost out!
Unfocused comedy, romantic drama...
dwpollar14 April 2007
1st watched 4/14/2007, 3 out of 10(Dir-Jean-Claude Tramont): Unfocused comedy, romantic drama starring the wonderful Gene Hackman in an offbeat un-realistic role as a walked-on drugstore employee who chucks it all for an unpredictable life with a middle-aged married woman, played by Barbra Streisand. This movie starts out as a possible promising comedy with Dennis Quaid as Hackman's son, a goofball who first gets hooked up with the Streisand character after painting her bedroom. Hackman tries to discourage this, considering the fact that she's married and a 4th cousin, which of course wouldn't look right, but then gets involved himself and just decides that nothing really matters and everything should be laid out for all to see. This attitude doesn't go well with everyone, including Streisand's character initially, even though this is kind of the way she seemed to be living her life to those around her. For the rest of the movie we watch Hackman waddle thru this existence, and Streisand doesn't entice the audience much either with her watered-down character and what we have is a pretty boring overall experience. This movie would have been better if it decided a direction -- all out comedy, all out romance, or all out drama but instead we get what we get. A pretty meaningless experience, overall; despite the talent involved.
The Least Known Streisand Title
theowinthrop8 May 2006
Except possibly for the slapstick comedy FOR PETE'S SAKE, ALL NIGHT LONG is most likely the most obscure title in Barbara Streisand's career. It is hard, at first, to understand this. She is starring opposite Gene Hackman, and Dennis Quaid is in the cast (as is Diane Ladd, Kenneth Dobson - from Telly Savalas' KOJAC series, and the always droll and dependable William Daniels). But it is the character she is playing. Some of the writers on this thread have pointed out that her character is not well thought out. Certainly it does require fleshing. But Cheryl Gibbons comes across as a sweet, kindly, but essentially weak woman. The last portion of her character is not usual for Streisand, who usually is intelligent and strong in determination. Think of her trying to play opposite Robert Redford in THE WAY THEY WERE where she is not a fiery liberal and libertarian, but a mousy type. Redford's Hubble would probably not have been interested in her, but if he developed an interest he would have found her a perfect mate because she would never have tried to be his constant conscience.
Here she is a sweet rag doll, first married to Dobson (who is somewhat abusive - more could have been developed there), then playing around with Quaid, and finally ending up with Hackman (who needs such an agreeable woman as his mate - he needs someone who will support and believe in him, not like the critical Ladd). To add to the character switch, Streisand is given blond hair in this film (the only time that happened). It is as though the production was determined to present Streisand as a totally different actress. And it succeeds.
As an interesting exception to the rule of her films ALL NIGHT LONG is worth watching. It gave some nice moments for Hackman and certainly showed Dobson in a good negative part. But for all the good work from the cast, it is a decidedly minor film. I rank it a "7" because of the production, cast, and unusual situation for Streisand.
Here she is a sweet rag doll, first married to Dobson (who is somewhat abusive - more could have been developed there), then playing around with Quaid, and finally ending up with Hackman (who needs such an agreeable woman as his mate - he needs someone who will support and believe in him, not like the critical Ladd). To add to the character switch, Streisand is given blond hair in this film (the only time that happened). It is as though the production was determined to present Streisand as a totally different actress. And it succeeds.
As an interesting exception to the rule of her films ALL NIGHT LONG is worth watching. It gave some nice moments for Hackman and certainly showed Dobson in a good negative part. But for all the good work from the cast, it is a decidedly minor film. I rank it a "7" because of the production, cast, and unusual situation for Streisand.
Mid-Life Casting Crisis
wes-connors2 August 2013
After an outburst at work, stressed-out Southern California businessman Gene Hackman (as George Dupler) is demoted to night manager of the discount drug-store "UltraSave". At a funeral, Mr. Hackman sees buxom blonde Barbra Streisand (as Cheryl) and discovers she is having a sexual affair with his teenage son, well-built and wavy-haired Dennis Quaid (as Frederick "Freddie" Dupler). Hackman wants to break up the couple, but becomes involved with Ms. Streisand himself. Their romance is complicated by the fact that, as Hackman tells Streisand, "You're screwing my son." Moreover, Streisand is married to Mr. Quaid's "fourth cousin," fireman Kevin Dobson (as Bobby Gibbons)...
This is a disaster. Apparently, the model performances for Streisand and Hackman are Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell in "The Seven Year Itch" (1955). That could be what the co-stars are aiming for. Note, there is a scene where Streisand duplicates the famous scene where Ms. Monroe's dress blows up to reveal her panties. This was the image they used to promote the film...
Streisand is wildly miscast as Marilyn Monroe. Hackman attempts his own characterization, but shows little of the nervous passion evident in Mr. Ewell's performance. Quaid is no teenager, but at least he can act like one. The director, Jean-Claude Tramont, leaves a good supporting cast out on a limb, especially during the drug-store sequences. Although his efforts are wasted, Mr. Dobson handles his role well...
Most appropriately, Streisand wears a magical motorcycle helmet which never musses her hair...
*** All Night Long (3/6/81) Jean-Claude Tramont ~ Gene Hackman, Barbra Streisand, Dennis Quaid, Kevin Dobson
This is a disaster. Apparently, the model performances for Streisand and Hackman are Marilyn Monroe and Tom Ewell in "The Seven Year Itch" (1955). That could be what the co-stars are aiming for. Note, there is a scene where Streisand duplicates the famous scene where Ms. Monroe's dress blows up to reveal her panties. This was the image they used to promote the film...
Streisand is wildly miscast as Marilyn Monroe. Hackman attempts his own characterization, but shows little of the nervous passion evident in Mr. Ewell's performance. Quaid is no teenager, but at least he can act like one. The director, Jean-Claude Tramont, leaves a good supporting cast out on a limb, especially during the drug-store sequences. Although his efforts are wasted, Mr. Dobson handles his role well...
Most appropriately, Streisand wears a magical motorcycle helmet which never musses her hair...
*** All Night Long (3/6/81) Jean-Claude Tramont ~ Gene Hackman, Barbra Streisand, Dennis Quaid, Kevin Dobson
Life's big adventure
kate8218617 June 2007
Where to start......???? Do you want it fast or do you want it good?? This is a masterpiece......it changed my outlook on growing older! If you are a fan of brilliant one-liners than this is the film for you! This could possibly be the defining role of Barbara Streisand's career. The sheer thought of her singing country and playing the piano brings joy to my meaningless life. For anyone who is a fan of Dennis Quaid prepare yourself for his breakout role.....one that surely paved the way for stardom. Where to even begin with Gene Hackman.....he looks as handsome in this movie as he does today....which for anyone with taste....you know he looks good! Overall the impeccable acting combined with a truly imaginative plot makes for the film that defined 1981!
It may be the graveyard shift, but manages barely not to be the graveyard of its stars careers.
mark.waltz2 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps over the years, this film has grown on me a bit, or maybe it's 25+ years in the corporate world which helps me relate to Gene Hackman's frustration. He hadn't had a really big film since "The French Connection" so this was originally planned as a low budget comedy, the type that would come and go so quickly and ultimately end up with one dusty video on the shelf at your local movie rental store. But in came the Barbra known as Streisand and it moved up to A status. Perhaps the script should have been dusted off because while it's not horrible, it's one that could have been a lot better considering the talent involved.
There should have been a better putting with the unforgettable visual of a chair flying out of a skyscraper window. what part itself isn't bad, but we really don't get an explanation as to why Gene Hackman has gone ballistic, or as I saw it, not one that would make you really rude for him outside of basic work frustration that we all have. The scene reminded me of the better opening of "The Hudsucker Proxy" where Charles Durning danced down the giant table and jumped out the window.
The heads of the company don't want to fire him so they move him to be the graveyard manager of a drugstore, the bottom of the barrel as far as a career professional is concerned. When a distant relative passes away, Hackman becomes entranced by far off inlaw Streisand whom he finds out is having an affair (unseen) with his son Dennis Quaid. Wife Diane Ladd isn't pleased by it either, and when Hackman and Streisand are revealed to be canoodling, it's off to divorce court which follows up with Hackman quitting his job without notice, losing his pension in the process.
There are some memorable moments in this rather dark comedy, particularly those in the drug store, with Hackman trying to stop a prankster with shoplifter and later on encounter with a very tough woman robber. Streisand is playing the type of zany character she had played in those early seventies comedies, and at one point, sings off key a country song, sounding like a Loretta Lynn wannabee, a little nod to the recent success of "Coal Miner's Daughter".
Mixed moments of humor don't make a great film, and the film is often unpleasant in its efforts to be quirky. Kevin Dobson plays a very uncharming relative as Streisand's husband, but Ladd is very good as Hackman's wife. There's also little chemistry between the two stars, and while Streisand is doing her best, she isn't always comfortable being basically supporting when usually the focus.
This is the type of film that Streisand fans will watch once, then switch back to "What's Up Doc?" Hackman suffers from the fact that his character isn't particularly well developed. It's a curious comic flop coming from the same year as "Arthur" in which fellow musical diva Liza Minnelli succeeded far more as support to Dudley Moore and had far more chemistry as well as a better script.
There should have been a better putting with the unforgettable visual of a chair flying out of a skyscraper window. what part itself isn't bad, but we really don't get an explanation as to why Gene Hackman has gone ballistic, or as I saw it, not one that would make you really rude for him outside of basic work frustration that we all have. The scene reminded me of the better opening of "The Hudsucker Proxy" where Charles Durning danced down the giant table and jumped out the window.
The heads of the company don't want to fire him so they move him to be the graveyard manager of a drugstore, the bottom of the barrel as far as a career professional is concerned. When a distant relative passes away, Hackman becomes entranced by far off inlaw Streisand whom he finds out is having an affair (unseen) with his son Dennis Quaid. Wife Diane Ladd isn't pleased by it either, and when Hackman and Streisand are revealed to be canoodling, it's off to divorce court which follows up with Hackman quitting his job without notice, losing his pension in the process.
There are some memorable moments in this rather dark comedy, particularly those in the drug store, with Hackman trying to stop a prankster with shoplifter and later on encounter with a very tough woman robber. Streisand is playing the type of zany character she had played in those early seventies comedies, and at one point, sings off key a country song, sounding like a Loretta Lynn wannabee, a little nod to the recent success of "Coal Miner's Daughter".
Mixed moments of humor don't make a great film, and the film is often unpleasant in its efforts to be quirky. Kevin Dobson plays a very uncharming relative as Streisand's husband, but Ladd is very good as Hackman's wife. There's also little chemistry between the two stars, and while Streisand is doing her best, she isn't always comfortable being basically supporting when usually the focus.
This is the type of film that Streisand fans will watch once, then switch back to "What's Up Doc?" Hackman suffers from the fact that his character isn't particularly well developed. It's a curious comic flop coming from the same year as "Arthur" in which fellow musical diva Liza Minnelli succeeded far more as support to Dudley Moore and had far more chemistry as well as a better script.
An obscure film that deserves to be obscure
soranno21 October 2002
Everything about "All Night Long" is off and never turns on. Why is it always the films with the best people that wind up being so bad? In this film's case of wasted star talent, the victim here is Gene Hackman. He portrays a middle aged drug store employee who feels that he has squandered his life so he solves his boredom problems by going on little nighttime charades with the odd insomniacs who prowl the streets during late night. Hackman is extremely miscast in this kind of role and Barbra Streisand's presence doesn't help to save it either.
bad MPDG
SnoopyStyle16 June 2022
Middle manager George Dupler (Gene Hackman) gets demoted to store night manager after an incident at company headquarters. Helen (Diane Ladd) is his wife. Their slacker son Freddie (Dennis Quaid) is having an affair with married Cheryl Gibbons (Barbra Streisand) who is somehow related to Helen. She starts making the moves on George. He has to deal with a cast of wacky characters in the store, both employees and customers.
I don't know anything about this Belgian director. I have to assume that his comedic chops got lost somewhere in the North Atlantic. There is basically two aspects to this film. One is Cheryl and her MPDG. The other is the wacky store. The store has the potential. I wouldn't mind watching George deal with the store during that first night. The Cheryl part is problematic.
She's a MPDG but she's more annoying than fun. Streisand is trying to be comedic but the story makes it awkward. The dangerous incestuous plot line is unnecessary and unfunny. I don't like Freddie. I don't like anybody here. Instead of being funny, I just want to get away from her. While Hackman is a serious actor, he can do comedy very well. It shows up during his breakdown as he storms out of the house. He's good as the straight man beset by all the wackos, well not all the wackos. I can't explain it more than I don't like Cheryl.
I don't know anything about this Belgian director. I have to assume that his comedic chops got lost somewhere in the North Atlantic. There is basically two aspects to this film. One is Cheryl and her MPDG. The other is the wacky store. The store has the potential. I wouldn't mind watching George deal with the store during that first night. The Cheryl part is problematic.
She's a MPDG but she's more annoying than fun. Streisand is trying to be comedic but the story makes it awkward. The dangerous incestuous plot line is unnecessary and unfunny. I don't like Freddie. I don't like anybody here. Instead of being funny, I just want to get away from her. While Hackman is a serious actor, he can do comedy very well. It shows up during his breakdown as he storms out of the house. He's good as the straight man beset by all the wackos, well not all the wackos. I can't explain it more than I don't like Cheryl.
Boring & Pointless
roark1838 August 2007
This plot leads no where. There is really little comedy here. Even Gene Hackman seemed bored with his role through the first half of the film.
Both Gene Hackman and Barbara Streisand are terrific comedic actors, but here they offer no comedy. It starts off in the first scene with a chair going thru the window, but there is no attempt to follow that up with comedic dialog. There are some attempts at slapstick while Hackman works his night job, but those are pretty poor.
The plot is pretty confusing and one is not sure who is with who. Streisand does look pretty sexy here, but she doesn't offer the one-liners she has in other comedic roles.
Both Gene Hackman and Barbara Streisand are terrific comedic actors, but here they offer no comedy. It starts off in the first scene with a chair going thru the window, but there is no attempt to follow that up with comedic dialog. There are some attempts at slapstick while Hackman works his night job, but those are pretty poor.
The plot is pretty confusing and one is not sure who is with who. Streisand does look pretty sexy here, but she doesn't offer the one-liners she has in other comedic roles.
Barbra and Gene!
kenandraf24 June 2001
Fair comedy with the typical dark tone lighting effects that seemed to be the mode in a lot of movies in the early 80's.Despite this irritating cinematography style,the film was very entertaining due to the presence of Streisand and Hackman.The supporting cast was very talented as well with their roles and the love story was very reflective of most love entanglements.Not the kind of side splitting comedy but it was not intended to be.The story was a mix of comedy and drama and intends to illustrate the fickleness of life and love.In that regard it was a classic.Many say Streisand was misscast here and I say HOGWASH to that.Streisand portrayed that role very well.Her eyes beamed of yerning to be loved on equal terms and she oozed sex appeal as well which the role called for.Granted she looked a little uninspired by the role but this was due to the part being unchallenging for her tremendous talent.Also,she was trying not to steal the limelight from Hackman who I believe she was trying to hook up to be a true leading man as opposed to his well known prowess as a supporting actor.This was supposed to be one of those vehicles for Hackman to get to that next level.But alas,the mainstream decided not to help Hackman get there by nitpicking this movie any way they could find.The directing was below average,the screenplay was average and the script was good.....
Today, the still don't get it.
moods4027 May 2006
Streisand is on record saying ( god please let this be right and I"m not put on her TRUTH ALERT) website, that she was an Actress who sings.
For almost all her films, she acts, but is always being Streisand. In ALL NIGHT LONG, she's actually acting. And is pretty good at it.
Yet today people still look at it as a disaster and it's not. Not at all. Yet when all clips of Streisand were on display during the American Film Institute when she was honored, not one clip of ALL NIGHT LONG was shown. I don't know if she's ashamed of it (I would think she wouldn't be) or more than likely, she probably could care less.
Same here. ...Yet I'm taking time out to express my thoughts. That makes no sense.
For almost all her films, she acts, but is always being Streisand. In ALL NIGHT LONG, she's actually acting. And is pretty good at it.
Yet today people still look at it as a disaster and it's not. Not at all. Yet when all clips of Streisand were on display during the American Film Institute when she was honored, not one clip of ALL NIGHT LONG was shown. I don't know if she's ashamed of it (I would think she wouldn't be) or more than likely, she probably could care less.
Same here. ...Yet I'm taking time out to express my thoughts. That makes no sense.
Splendid acting, involving script, top production values!
JohnHowardReid23 May 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I am a great fan of both Gene Hackman and Barbra Streisand. This movie, however, received such devastatingly antagonistic reviews that I did not bother to see it on first release.
I have now caught up with the movie on an excellent Flashback DVD. I really enjoyed every single minute of the dialog, the acting and the plot. In fact, I am absolutely amazed that both critics and audiences were generally so impervious to all the film's rib-tickling delights.
I think the problem was that the film was actually sold to the wrong audiences -- mostly an audience that would not appreciate the script's quirkish humor or its message that we live in a constrained world that tends to frown on cut-ups, laugh makers and anyone who does not toe the generally accepted line.
The world has such a high regard for those who conform to society's so-called standards, whatever they might be, that those who thumb their noses at these so-called standards, no matter how ridiculous or inappropriate they may be, are both unwelcome and unappreciated.
So, I say again, a most enjoyable movie! 10/10!
I have now caught up with the movie on an excellent Flashback DVD. I really enjoyed every single minute of the dialog, the acting and the plot. In fact, I am absolutely amazed that both critics and audiences were generally so impervious to all the film's rib-tickling delights.
I think the problem was that the film was actually sold to the wrong audiences -- mostly an audience that would not appreciate the script's quirkish humor or its message that we live in a constrained world that tends to frown on cut-ups, laugh makers and anyone who does not toe the generally accepted line.
The world has such a high regard for those who conform to society's so-called standards, whatever they might be, that those who thumb their noses at these so-called standards, no matter how ridiculous or inappropriate they may be, are both unwelcome and unappreciated.
So, I say again, a most enjoyable movie! 10/10!
Undeserved slating
jbinkoeln20 November 2022
I cannot understand why this thoroughly likeable feature film received such scathing criticism from the critics of the time. In my opinion, the bad rating here at imdb is also undeserved. It may well be that a broad audience only finds feature films good if they are entertained in the most noisy way possible. Then "All Night Long" is of course the wrong film. But if you want to see an intelligent and somewhat reserved comedy with excellent acting, you won't be disappointed.
I liked the gentle satire on the world of work. The film also gives an apt look at life. And I enjoyed seeing Gene Hackman in a completely different role.
I liked the gentle satire on the world of work. The film also gives an apt look at life. And I enjoyed seeing Gene Hackman in a completely different role.
Brilliant film
martinpersson9730 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This incredible film, by an incredible director, is definitely yet another testament of the capabilities of the great filmmaker. It is indeed a sublime mix of drama, humour and wit - one for the ages.
The actors all do an incredible job, as one would expect from such legendary names, and it is indeed a very career defining and memorable affair, all of this accompined by a stellar script, mixing extraordinary use of humour, drama and overall very well paced and written.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is great, very much in line with his style, and overall very beautifully put together indeed.
Definitely an incredible film, that is highly recommended for any lover of film!
The actors all do an incredible job, as one would expect from such legendary names, and it is indeed a very career defining and memorable affair, all of this accompined by a stellar script, mixing extraordinary use of humour, drama and overall very well paced and written.
The cinematography, cutting and editing is great, very much in line with his style, and overall very beautifully put together indeed.
Definitely an incredible film, that is highly recommended for any lover of film!
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