cqproject home
Robert Downey Jr Comprehensive Film Guide
back home next
cover box
One Night Stand (1996)

Summary

Three act movie bounces between coasts and storylines about an art director who cheats on his wife, and has a friend dying of AIDS.

Tag

It was just one night that changed everything.

Category/Genre

Arty Drama

Direction

Mike Figgis

Downey Factor

Low. His role is small.

Role

Charlie

Character

The friend dying of AIDS.

Looks

Thin and unhealthy.

Performance

Convincing and not overdone.

Line

Listen to me, okay. Listen to me right now. I've seen too many people lose their courage in the last minute. I'm not sorry. I'm frightened, yes, but I'm also fascinated by what's next.

Romance/Intimacy

He's involved with a minor character who's hardly seen.

Dies, Gay or Villain

Yes, Yes, and No.

Other Actors

Wesley Snipes, Kyle McLachlan, Natassja Kinski, Ming Na Wen, Ione Skye, Thomas Haden Church

Connection

Wesley Snipes in US Marshals

Location

New York and Los Angeles

RDJ Says

Thin as a rail ... I told Wesley I think I'm going to jail and I hoped he wouldn't judge me ... I saw [it] as an opportunity to really explore my dissatisfaction with life, and with being an actor ... when [Mike Figgis] said, 'No, I think you should play Charlie', I was dying inside.

Release

November 14, 1997

Availability

Available on video. Released on DVD in Region 1 and 2.

Foreign Titles

Argentina: Pasion de Una Noche (Passion for a Night)
Brazil: Por Uma Noite Apenas (For a Night Only)
Croatia: Veza Za Jednu Noæ
France: Pour une nuit (For One Night)
Italy: Complice la Notte (The Night Accomplice)
Poland: Romans na Jedna noc (Romance for One Night)
Spain: Despues de Una Noche (After One Night)

Rotten Tomatoes

31% Fresh | 26 Reviews

Critical View

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: I did find myself caring about Charlie, the best friend with AIDS, who is played by Downey as a man determined not to go solemnly into that great night. He has a sense of humor even on his deathbed, and gets one of the movie's best laughs just by raising his eyebrows.

2 Reasons to See It

1. To find out the meaning of the expression "Life is an orange."
2. See the film that made Joe Ezsterhas so damn bitter.

Overall

Though his performance received praise, the role is small and depressing.

Photos

1 | 2 | 3