Topher Grace, Anna Faris, Dan Fogler and Teresa Palmer star in Take Me Home Tonight, a fun, raunchy, comedic ode to the ’80s. Here’s the breakdown:
Matt (Grace) has done nothing with his life since college graduation. But when he runs into his high school crush (Palmer), he embarks on a crazy night of lies and misadventures in an effort to win her heart.
The Monkey: Grace is a wonderful comedic leading man and this movie is no exception. He’s funny, charming and goofy in all the right doses. His chemistry with Dan Folger, who plays Matt’s best friend Barry, is believable and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable buddy-comedy duo. Folger, while playing the stereotypical fat, silly sidekick, still manages to be riotously funny and acts as the movie’s comedic weight (no pun intended).
The movie’s soundtrack, costumes and general tone of ’80s nostalgia is its strongest asset, reminiscent enough of classic John Hughes films while staying modern enough to please a wide audience.
The movie features a decent plot thread about finding your way in the world and making tough choices to get what you want out of life, but ultimately…
The Weasel: …the story offers little that hasn’t been seen countless times before: boy lies to girl to get her to like him, girl falls for guy, girl finds out guy is a liar, girl gets mad, blah blah blah. Teresa Palmer and Anna Faris could have been replaced with pretty much any actress; they’re both talented, but Take Me Home Tonight gives them little opportunity to do much.
100% predictable? Yes. 100% fun? Also yes.
3 Death Stars out of 5
What do you think? Was Take Me Home Tonight a respectable ’80s throwback? What are some of your favorite ’80s movies? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Pop Goes the Culture 
surprised you liked this one given its dismal ratings and box office performance (#11 on it’s first debut wknd). Not on my “Go See” list, but perhaps on a guys night via netflix or cinema now streaming!
Yeah, I think this was one of those cases of bad marketing and “wrong place, wrong time” kinda thing. If I remember correctly, this movie was made a while ago, but just now is getting the wide release. Clearly, the studio didn’t have faith in it, and the dismal marketing campaign is evidence of that. Too bad, cause it was fun. Not game changing, not overly memorable, but fun 🙂 Thanks for the comment!