A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988)

40% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
40% of users liked it
(5,438 ratings)

The teen drama A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon is directed by William Richert, who adapted the screenplay from his own semi-autobiographical novel Aren't You Even Going to Kiss Me Goodbye? Set in a wealthy Chicago suburb during the 1960s, middle-class Jimmy Reardon (River Phoenix) hangs out… More The teen drama A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon is directed by William Richert, who adapted the screenplay from his own semi-autobiographical novel Aren't You Even Going to Kiss Me Goodbye? Set in a wealthy Chicago suburb during the 1960s, middle-class Jimmy Reardon (River Phoenix) hangs out with his upper-class best friend, Fred Roberts (Matthew Perry), and sleeps with Fred's snobby girlfriend, Denise Hunter (Ione Skye). He spends his time writing poetry and drinking coffee while he decides what to do after high school. His parents won't help him pay for tuition unless he attends the same business college as his father did, but Jimmy doesn't want to follow that path. Instead, he focuses on coming up with enough money for a plane ticket to go to Hawaii with his wealthy yet chaste girlfriend, Lisa Bentwright (Meredith Salenger). On the night of a big party, Jimmy is given the task of driving home his mother's divorced friend, Joyce Fickett (Ann Magnuson), who conveniently seduces him. Since he is late picking up Lisa, she goes to the dance with the rich Matthew Hollander (Jason Court) instead. Jimmy then crashes the family car and shares an intimate rapprochement with his father (Paul Koslo). ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: William Richert
Written By: William Richert
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 26, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Dec 26, 2000
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
For a movie set in 1962, there's some seriously big 80s hair taking place here
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Adds some fresh twists to the coming-of-age dramas.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

It was a pretty boring night at that.
Leo L

A GREAT MOVIE.

Cast

            River Phoenix as Jimmy Reardon

            Ann Magnuson as Joyce Fickett

            Meredith Salenger as Lisa Bentwright

            Ione Skye as Denise Hunter

            Louanne as Suzie Middleberg

            Paul Koslo as Al Reardon

            Matthew Perry as Fred Roberts

            Jane Hallaren as Faye Reardon

            Jason Court as Mathew Hollander

            Marji Banks as Emma Spaulding

            James Deuter as Linus Spaulding

            Anastasia Fielding as Elaine

            Johnny Galecki as Toby Reardon

            Kamie Harper as Rosie Reardon

            Craig Huston as Waiter

            Regan Andreas as Sailor Cap

            Kurt Bjorling as Musician

            Alan Goldsher as Musician

            Jack McLaughlin-Gray as Carnation

            E.J. Murray as Alice

            Lisa Stodder as Coffee House Girl

            Kristin Weithas as Coffee House Girl

            Melva Williams as Maid

            Mark Winsten as Red Blazer

            Margaret Moore as Mrs. Bentwright
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