Oft fun comedy noted for its boost to Michael Keaton's career; early Ron Howard direction.
Night Shift (1982)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:19
Fresh:17
Rotten:2
Average Rating:6.4/10
Synopsis: This early breakthrough comedy by Ron Howard is a rowdy, raunchy surprise from a Hollywood star known more for his wholesome fare. A mismatched pair of New York City morgue workers, hopelessly... This early breakthrough comedy by Ron Howard is a rowdy, raunchy surprise from a Hollywood star known more for his wholesome fare. A mismatched pair of New York City morgue workers, hopelessly stuck working the night shift, decide to make a little extra cash during those long, late-night hours--they set up a call-girl service, becoming the funniest love brokers in the Big Apple. Henry Winkler stars as Chuck Lumley, a downtrodden pushover who unhappily endures a whining girlfriend (Gina Hecht) and a dead-end job at the morgue. But after meeting congenial hooker Belinda (Shelley Long), Chuck decides to help her and her friends organize their nightly endeavors. Michael Keaton, in his film debut, steals the movie as Bill Blazejowski, Chuck's manic, crazed assistant at the morgue. Chuck and Bill perfect their new roles as pimps until Chuck's romantic feelings for Belinda cause him to rethink his new career. NIGHT SHIFT was a HAPPY DAYS reunion of sorts for Howard: Former costar Henry Winkler (Arthur Fonzarelli) stars in the film, and HAPPY DAYS producers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel wrote the screenplay. NIGHT SHIFT also marked Howard's first collaboration with his longtime producing partner, Brian Grazer. [More]
Starring: Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, Kevin Costner
Starring: Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Shelley Long, Kevin Costner, Bobby Di Cicco, Nita Talbot, Vincent Schiavelli, Basil Hoffman, Shannen Doherty, Richard Belzer
Director: Ron Howard
Director: Ron Howard
Reviews for Night Shift
Winkler turns in the best performance of his career, and Keaton is wonderful.
This early Ron Howard comedy has no shortage of laugh-out-loud moments thanks to Michael Keaton's unforgettable screen debut as manic wildman Bill Blazejowski.
Keaton's first major role marked him for stardom; and also added to Howard's newly forming directorial stature.
This is a halfway funny movie, one that's got loads of good gags in its first half and nothing but trouble in its second.
This isn't as snappily directed or as caustically conceived as the subsequent Risky Business, which has a similar theme, but it's arguably just as sexy and almost as funny.
Dated comedy offers very little in the chuckle department, with even less in narrative obstruction, but remains interesting only for the early work of now-famed director Ron Howard.
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