A Noite que Nunca Nos Encontramos

Only 11 reviews, mine included, which means this is truly one of the forgotten romantic comedy gems on Imdb. Such a shame, because it has got sharp humor, a frivolous story, a lovely feel good spirit and such great subtle sarcastic dialogues. All one could wish for in an edgy romantic comedy, which is quite a bit different from the average romcom stuff. That is the reason why guys could love this comedy as well, because there is very little sentimental romantic stuff going on. The romance part is more of a side note, because the main "theme" is about young people messing up their lives and trying to find a new place where they feel at home.

The story: Matthew Broderick is poor and finally finds an apartment in New York City. There's a catch, there is always a catch: he has to share his appartment with 2 other persons, meaning he has got only 2 days per week that he can call his apartment his own. This sharing creates a lot of confusion, resulting in several frivolous (romantic) encounters, for the better and for the worse...

Especially recommended for Matthew Broderick fans, because I think this is one of his better performances of his carreer. And I have seen ALL his movies. What I especially like is the understated, casual and sarcastic tone of this comedy, which is so typical of many Matthew Broderick movies. In this one this typical sarcastic comedy style is tweaked into perfection. Lovely and funny and with a great sarcastic bite to it!

"What are you, Camus?"

Such an Allenesque line, and when you spot Woody's ex-wife Louise Lasser in a supporting role, and a kooky French female character messing our hero Sam (Matthew Broderick) about...well, the movie rings a few NYC bells.

An interesting premise, in both senses of the spelling. Three people, who don't know each other, all in personal life predicaments, have alternate days renting an apartment. One is a lovelorn cheesemonger (really), another is a dissatisfied dental hygienist (again, that's very Woody), and the third is an oafish city boy on the cusp of marriage, unwilling to give up his bachelor lifestyle altogether. Two of them start leaving cute messages and stuff for one another, but mistaken identity leads to a confused situation.

New York plays its own part in these movies. New York movies are practically a genre unto themselves. This is a cute but slight movie, and its peculiar premise gives it distinction in the rom-com field. One just wishes it were funnier, and maybe one more character with a stronger screen presence. The fact that the three alternating tenants never run into one another, at least before the denouement, seems improbable.

But definitely worth checking out.

My review was written in April 1993 after watching the film in a Times Square screening room.

A quintessential New York movie, "The Night We Never Met" takes a novel premise and develops it in fits and starts. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser on its home turf, episodic effort could attract a hip audience elsewhere as well.

Debuting filmmaker Warren Leight has come up with an offbeat notion: time-sharing a Greenwich Village apartment by days of the week (practice exists, but is hardly a trend). Hissable yuppie Kevin Anderson is behind the scheme, wanting two nights out a week with his poker-playing, football watching buddies while living with patrician fiancee Justine Bateman.

One customer is Matthew Broderick, moping over losing his performance artist girlfriend Pastel (Jeanne Tripplehorn, spoofing a familiar downtown type). Broderick is sharing a flat with too many noisy, vulgar roommates and needs a crash pad.

Third tenant is frustrated housewife Annabella Sciorra, who uses it to get away from her dense husband (Michael Mantell) and spend a couple of days painting.

This format allows Leight to develop some surefire situation comedy. The three tenants never met but are aware of their differing habits: boorish slob Anderson leaves a mess each time; Sciorra fixes up pretty curtains and furnishings; Broderick is a gourmet cook (he works in an upscale food store) who provides fabulous leftovers for Sciorra.

Plot is set in motion when Anderson innocently switches one of his designated days with Broderick but doesn't update the posted schedule, causing Sciorra to confuse the two guys, swearing at Broderick over the phone for leaving a mess and fixing her sights on a romance with "dream guy" Anderson.

Finale has the threesome of nearly 30-year-olds finally meeting in the apartment, but not until after Sciorra has slept with Anderson, almost ruining her life, and further complications when (predictably) fiancee Batemean half-learns of the apartment and assumes Anderson carries on all week long.

Wonderfully atmospheric use of New York locations and familiar characters bring "Night" to life. Unfortunately, there are many scenes, particularly those of Anderson and his obnoxious pals, which kill time and detract from the romantic leads. Ultimately it's not really as much an ensemble piece as a film of alternating casts or vignettes.

Broderick, making a notable screen comeback after his laughless "Out on a Limb" fiasco, is utterly convincing as the hapless hero. Sciorra immediately garners sympathy, giving the film some heart and depth beyond the surface yocks. Anderson throws himself whole-heartedly into his stereotyped assignment.

Garry Shandling pops up uncredited as a wiseguy patient of dental hygienist Sciorra, while Christine Baranski is perfect as Sciorra's best friend.

Lensin gby John Thomas (who photographed Gotham-set "Metropolitan") is sharp and Evan Lurie's sprightly score is a definite asset.

A tad different from most romance comedies. This film is light, yet contains a slightly dark edge with the subject matter.

"The Night We Never Met" tells of three people, all in relationships, who timeshare a NYC flat with a weekly rotation. The trio has not met but do get to know each other by leaving notes, phone calls, and the inevitable traces of their occupancy which, of course, leads to romance between principals Sciorra and Broderick. A cute little bit of B- fluff which is well cast with a clever premise, "Night..." muddles a little in the middle, runs a tad long, and could have ended better. Nonetheless, it's worth a look. Now on cable.