Depois de Horas

This is one of Scorsese's lesser known films which is a travesty. Griffin Dunne plays a cubicle working blue collar- the type that was so rampant in the mid 80s, who accidently experiences a series of bizarre misadventures in New York City. This is not typical Scorsese fare and one reason it works is because of the legendary filmmaker's deft skills- the atmosphere is amazing as is the pacing of the film. The protagonist is relatable in an everyman lost and confused kind of way. Like a bad dream or surreal experience After Hours is one hell of a ride. As stated in the opening line of this review- it is a travesty that more people aren't aware of this film.

No one prepared me for this surreal, anxiety inducing chaotic nightmare of a night. What an thrilling ride this was!

Such a dark, ironic and uncomfortably funny string of events plus a large helping of bizarre, paranoid and unpredictable characters have never before been forged into one story.

The film follows Paul Hacket (Griffin Dunne) on a date from hell, where from square one it all goes horribly wrong. As we move on, the mood winds up into a frenzied nightmare as this poor mans' plight goes from bad to worse. "All I want to do is go home" he says, running for his life from an angry mob.

The story isn't complex, which you may think could bore, but the characters are so delightfully wacky that you can't help but be transfixed.

We've all had bad days when we've said "Phew! What a nightmare!" - well forget it, until you've taken half the knocks this guy does, you've had but a walk in the park.

Don't just rent this movie - buy it.

After Hours starts off tame but slowly gets more and more strange. In general this is an entertaining movie and it will keep you guessing especially the first half of the movie. But tends to fall off towards the end.

Directing is well done, the quintessential dolly zoom on characters isn't missing here, a Scorsese trademark it seems. I love it though and it adds such a level of interest and importance to characters. There's some rotating shots and pans, some cool stuff. Lot's of variety. But nothing felt too special.

Music selection is great, no original score, just actual music from classical to punk rock and oldies. Scorsese does this a lot and they definitely liven up the scenes. Though the acting is the strongest factor for that here.

Acting is great and everyone has got this weird thing about them, none of the characters feel like they can be trusted except the main character and it makes it all the more weird when watching. There's always some way they blow up about something or act odd. It makes for entertaining characters and conversations which of course this movie needs considering it's 90% that. It's character heavy and the characters that are there are fine and acted well.

The ''story''... or more so an experience that main character goes through, is engaging. There's all these links between everyone but whilst some of them work others are just there for the only reason to have a link, even if it makes little sense. In general I think most of the linkage was odd. But I have at theory about all the events that happen, it seems like this entire experience was some sort of play on Hackett. Like everything was set up, like some weird artistic endeavor where they put a random guy in the middle of their art ''show''. Especially towards the end when he meets June. And the room he goes into with all the plaster, on the left in that scene you can see a stack of those bagel cream cheese whatever -paper weights like they were prepared for something. It would explain all the links. And the lack of follow up on the dead girlfriend from the police. And all the timing and distractions from the people he encountered.

That said that's just a theory. It's never said or anything. Generally though it was a pretty good movie.

Out of all the Scorsese films - I would have to admit this ranks in the top five. After Hours draws you into it's dark and surreal world with fantastical wonder. The characters are all interesting, the acting superb - especially Griffin Dunne - and the pacing is great.

It was made in 1985, and I can already see the techniques Scorsese used in Goodfellas - and the quick editing. It is directed and edited really well. So if you were a fan of Scorsese's frantic camera work in Goodfellas and Casino, this film is for you.

It really does put you on edge - as a viewer, you really want Dunne's character to get back home - but everything possible that could happen to him - happens. This is not just a evocation of soHo in the early 80's - it is a deeply black comedy. All the rules go out the window for Dunne's character, because after all it is after hours.

Scorsese really is the best living director at the moment - so do yourself a favour and watch this movie - it's fantastic.