The Allnighter (1987) User Reviews (30)

Far from a classic, but a must for Bangles fans

[Hessian499 · 5/10 · 7 October 2001]

The Allnighter is mostly a vehicle for Bangle Susanna Hoffs and she does a good job with it. Hoffs in fact saves this movie, as you get the feeling if she wasn't in it the movie would be pretty hopeless and completely forgotten by now.

Somewhat derivative of many mid-to-late 1980s teen and college comedies, the plot really isn't much new, though it is fun to see the 80s fashion and hear music from that era again. Despite the weak plot, it will remind you of a time before you had to go out into the "real" world, and you can recall many of the desires and hopes put forth.

Hoffs rarely talks about this film in interviews, and critics have not been very kind to it over the years. While not up to the level of films of the same era made by people like John Hughes, The Allnighter is worth a look once, more if you like and/or remember the Bangles.

Lame 1980s Beach Party Film

[Space_Mafune · 3/10 · 27 August 2002]

This film stars Susanna Hoffs (of Bangles fame) and focuses mainly on her desire to have a great romance(well in actuality, it's more her desire to get laid).

This also gives us a glimpse into the lives of a group of college kids leading up to their graduation. Of course they get involved in the usual predicted teenage crisis, the importance of which seems greatly magnified to those involved. Sometimes the dialog proves hilariously awful in this silly mess of a film. Pam Grier, who is much too talented to be appearing in this forgettable teenage comedy romp, makes a short appearance as a lady officer. For a real Beach party film, one must look instead to the 1950s and the 1960s. Watch Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello instead.

This 'AllNighter' makes it hard to keep your eyes open...

[Howlin Wolf · 4/10 · 17 December 2017]

80's higher education ennui... Like a strange cross between "Reality Bites" and "Adventures in Babysitting" (yet nowhere near as good as either).

Aside from Susanna Hoffs in her underwear, Pam Grier's late single scene cameo is pretty much the only entertaining or amusing thing about it... Otherwise, it's thoroughly mediocre!

A Sub-Par Comedy Starring Susanna Hoffs

[Cyber256702000 · 10 September 2003]

It is the night before college graduation and Molly, Gina, and Val want to make it one that they will never forget. Whether it is going to the Fiesta with surfer buds C.J. and Killer or partying with an old rock guitarist that went to their school, they plan on doing it all. Unfortunately, Susanna Hoffs feature film debut will make you wish that they did something even more memorable, because you will forget it an hour after watching it. It is a comedy, but unfortunately it suffers the flaw of not being funny. You might smile once or twice, but I doubt you will even chuckle at any of these misadventures. The film is basically just a dull, overlong, snoozefest. The acting is alright, not really good, but nothing terrible. The soundtrack is decent as well. Unless you are a fan of Susanna Hoffs, leave this one alone. * out of ****

Sex-in-the-sand youth flick...despite good cast, brain-dead

[moonspinner55 · 1/10 · 14 August 2011]

Excruciating post-teenage shenanigans from director Tamar Simon Hoffs (who also co-penned the practically-nonexistent screenplay) features Hoffs' daughter Susanna Hoffs (of the pop group The Bangles) as one of three vacationing college seniors anxious to get down and dirty during their final hurrah. Susanna, Dedee Pfeiffer, and Joan Cusack would appear to make a fun femme trio, but this is no "Where the Boys Are". Tasteless, terrible writing sinks a proved scenario, and everyone comes off looking inept (including the star attraction, who dances in her underwear to ill-effect). Not a single laugh to be had...even the soundtrack is a washout. NO STARS from ****

Insipid.

[gridoon · 4/10 · 26 June 2002]

This vacant, plotless and thoroughly unfunny comedy has a better cast than it deserves: all the girls are credible (the boys less so), and Dedee Pfeiffer (Michelle's sister) is a genuine revelation in her few quiet moments. But then there are all those surfing scenes....(*1/2)

"Hey, dude! Aloha to the birds!"

[utgard14 · 4/10 · 13 September 2015]

Three self-centered young women are graduating college while struggling with their love lives. Molly (Susanna Hoffs) is longing for an epic romance, preferably with her guy friend who can't seem to grow up. Val (Dedee Pfeiffer) is supposed to be marrying some dickish businessman but doubts emerge. Gina (Joan Cusack) is only concerned with videotaping everything.

Boring and tedious with a lame romantic plot that culminates in a cheesy sex scene which poor Susanna Hoffs had to do in front of her mom. Susanna's acting receives a lot of criticism but I don't think she's as terrible as others say. She's not good, really, but there's potential there. She has a likable screen presence and is certainly attractive. The scene of her posing in her underwear in front of a mirror is easily the highlight of the movie. Which says a lot about the movie, I think. Dedee Pfeiffer does well with her limited role. Joan Cusack is the weird one, looking a lot like Boy George here, and doesn't even get a bone thrown to her in the romance department. Pam Grier is wasted in a small role as a cop. The girls have two surfer guy friends that are made from '80s cardboard.

Despite the presence of Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs, the music in this is the pits. The romance and comedy elements are bad but the navel-gazing angst will be the most likely reason you'll shut this off. Speaking of the comedy, the only intentional humor that works are the scenes with the hookers. There is some great unintentional comedy, though, in a scene where Hoffs and a mulleted rock star dance. Think mayonnaise on Wonder Bread with a glass of milk to wash it down.

Bad Acting, Bad Script, Bad Film

[Meredith-7 · 1/10 · 4 November 2003]

I was interested to see Susannah Hoffs in an acting role, however, it was made abundantly clear early in the film that she could not act, but then neither could most of the "performers" in this film. This is the worst of it's kind, the characters are dull & one dimensional, the sub-plots are ridiculous & worst of all it's just not entertaining. It's so bad that it is bad (and could never be good/bad), the filmmakers made it hard to care for the characters early in the film & you will be begging for them to disappear into oblivion by the end of this poor excuse at "grad humour". Stay Away!

Terrible

[lizzieloo21 · 1/10 · 11 January 2007]

Oh, come on...I don't mean to be offensive, but this film was absolutely painful to watch. Susanna Hoffs, an attractive and engaging singer, is not engaging (although she is quite attractive) in this role. She seems to have lost the sparkle she could convey through her music. No wonder she doesn't talk about it in interviews.

Yes, this film was aimed for my age group at the time, but there have been other films aimed toward the younger set that are intelligent, sexy, and fun at the same...not mindless and silly as this one was. Try "One Crazy Summer," "Say Anything," or anything directed by John Hughes at the time.

Sorry, fans. I can't find one redeeming quality about this film. If I were a director, I'd find something better to cast my daughter in.

funny, relaxing movie

[natascha-lully · 6/10 · 15 February 2005]

Okay, this might not be an award winning movie but it's sure worth watching! Love the scenery, the eighties style and the obligated happy ending of course! Sometimes it even made me wish I was there! A prep school in a tropical location, lots of pretty people, fun beach parties and lots of cocktails. And hey, mustn't it be wonderful to have a student house at the beach? Susanna did not act that bad and Joan Cusack is her own funny self of course! I saw this movie when I was a teenager, about 15 years ago and loved every second of it, even watched it more than once! Maybe you don't need any brains to understand this movie but must life always be so serious? It most certainly is NOT boring, just watch it with a big bag of popcorn and have fun!

Nope!

[BandSAboutMovies · 4/10 · 6 June 2021]

Growing up in the 80s, this movie seemed like it was going to be a hot property. Susanna Hoffs was the it girl of the time, the lead singer of The Bangles, and seeing as how The Allnighter seemed like a teen sex comedy - it's a bit more of a coming of age film, but that wasn't how it was sold - everyone was beyond excited at the potential of seeing, well, a bit more of Ms. Hoffs. Look, we were in the throes of puberty and that type of behavior was still seen as healthy.

What we did not know was that her mother, Tamar Simon Hoffs, was directing the movie, which meant that there was no way we were getting a movie like Mischief.

Our heroines - Molly (Hoffs), Val (Deedee Pfeiffer) and Gina (Joan Cusack) are graduating college and starting their real lives, but for one last night, they explore where they are before they get where they are going. Molly wants true love. Val has it, but isn't sure if she wants it. Gina just wants to video tape everything.

Actually, if you think about it, Hoffs' character - trapped between an older man who is wrong for her and a young man who is wrong but a bit more right - is a lot like Lelaina Pierce in Reality Bites, while Cusack's non-stop filming and commenting on the lives of everyone else takes a bit of that character and Vickie Miner as well.

C. J., one of the boys in this movie, is of course John Terlesky from Chopping Mall, Deathstalker II and Appointment with Death. Michael Ontkean - Sherriff Harry S. Truman - is also on hand, as are Pam Grier and Meshach Taylor in quick cameos. And Edge of the Axe fans - well, that'd be me - Christina Marie Lane is in this in an extra role.

Oh yeah - Killer's date at the party, listed as Debi Lester - is adult film queen Debi Diamond. I don't know what it says about me that I instantly recognized her.

Girls Night Out!!!

[jlp937 · 10/10 · 10 April 2000]

In the Allnighter, Molly, Gina, and Val are in for one last night together before they graduate from Pacifica College and go their own directions. Each one is faced with issues that makes them re-evaluate their lives before they head off into the real world. Along the way with a great supporting cast of CJ and Killer, the girls find out just what is in store for them. A great soundtrack, too bad it is not available. I promise you that when you watch this you will be taken back to a time in your life before you really knew what life was actually like.

Light, 80s beach movie

[OKCRay · 6/10 · 12 January 2002]

I've always enjoyed the Bangles and Susanna Hoffs, and I purchased the DVD not expecting much more than a light, fun 80s throwback to the Bikini Beach movies. That pretty much is The Allnighter in a nutshell, but there's nothing wrong with that. The plot centers on three college roommates (Susanna Hoffs, DeDee Pfeiffer and Joan Cusack) having one last fling before college graduation. Susanna is absolutely gorgeous as Molly, the Pacifica College valedictorian who is still searching for that one earth-shattering romance, and although there's not much to the story, there are some wonderful moments (including the jail scene, featuring what must be the filthiest toilet ever to appear in a major motion picture), and I loved Pam Grier's cameo as Sgt. McLeish. An interesting aspect of this movie is how it went back and forth from film to "camcorder" at least 10 years before Blair Witch came out (and 5 years before MTV hit us with "The Real World"). Speaking of which, how about that primitive, bulky Olympus "camcorder" that Joan Cusack lugged around throughout the movie? Remember when those were "state-of-the-art"? Or how about the huge, clunky answering machine in the girls' beach house? Totally 80s, no doubt about it. If you're expecting Oscar-caliber entertainment here, skip this. However if all you're looking for is a fun movie to watch on a rainy day, check your high expectations at the door and enjoy!

Utter disappointment for one reason...

[heyitsadam · 2/10 · 22 December 2021]

I remember seeing this movie at the video store and I finally got a weekend away from my parents where I can rent it and watch it without them around (shut up). Despite the over-sexual VHS cover, Susanna Hoffs does not get naked in the movie AT ALL. NOT ONCE. What an incredibly disgusting bait and switch to pull on teens who freaked out seeing her on MTV looking all sexy.,

I don't ever want to hear about how she's some kind of sexual icon of the 80's. She isn't. She's a liar.

Totally 80s

[sab67d · 30 March 2001]

I thought this movie was great. It is your typical 80s flick, and being a child from the 80s I loved it. Susanna Hoffs shows us she cannot only sing but act. And where do they get the cute guys. I just wish it was longer or had a sequel.

Plug your nose, this one's going to be a real stinker! (spoilers)

[vertigo_14 · 1/10 · 2 January 2005]

There are only two saving graces to this otherwise horribly boring cheesefest. And that is hearing Timbuk 3's 'The Future's So Bright' and seeing Max Perlich (briefly) as a clerk in a police station. Not event the presence of Joan Cusak (for whom I rented the movie to see) nor Deedee Pfieffer (usually good in 80s trash) could save this disaster.

This is the story of a nerdy college grad girl, played by Bangles front woman, Susanna Hoffs, and her friends and their little misadventure in the night before graduation. Hence the title, "The Allnighter." For the nerdy college girl, it chasing around a rock n' roll star. For her surfer dude friend, it means trying to hook up with her (and failing miserably until a steamy, cheesy sex scene finale, of course). For Dede Pfieffer's character, it means trying to get away from her loser fiancée to party at the all-night siesta. Nothing remotely interesting or barely entertaining happens (save a few humorous moments with the always-witty Joan Cusak) and the strange bleach-blonde surfer friend (the taller one). It goes on like this for more than an hour and a half. It isn't even good 80s trash. It is just plain bad and is sure to bore you to the bone.

This was Susanna Hoffs movie debut, and if you have seen her other appearances, you should know it doesn't get much better. But then again, this was just bad material to work with all around. Thank writer/director, Tamara Hoffs (Susanna's mom) for that. Trust me, as much as bad 80s movies might appeal to you, this truly is one big waste of film.

Lame last night out movie...

[dwpollar · 3/10 · 28 April 2007]

1st watched 4/27/2007 - 3 out of 10(Dir-Tamar Simon Hoffs): Lame last night out movie about a threesome of college girls from Pacifica College who run into more than what they expected on their final night before graduation. This movie is actually better than most guys night out movies but is still pretty lame. The valedictorian, Molly, played by Susanna Hoffs(relative to the director and writer you think??), and her two friends prepare for a festival but of course, it doesn't turn out as they expected. Molly has a crush on an older guiter player and pursues him, while another friend's uppity fiancé shows up un-expected while the Joan Cusack character films everything for her documentary of the event. This is a typical "Beach Blanket Bingo" fare in the 80's without a lot of the raunchiness that usually fills these kinds of movies. Although the girls are cute, and Joan Cusack's character is interesting and slightly funny, the movie never really moves out of low-mediocrity in it's subject matter, which is kind of expected here but even a near tragedy for a surfer is treated half-hazardly like the southern California dude-lifestyle. They are riding each wave as it comes, dude. Sadly though, it doesn't make for much of a movie.

Horrid Flick

[denis888 · 1/10 · 12 March 2018]

What is a recipe for a truly horrid movie? Make it on the beach of California. Add a singer, this time Susanna Hoffs, who is awesome, but she can't act. Add some muscular jocks, who are total dumb on set. Add Joan Cusack and Deedee Pfeiffer who are sweet but nothing more above. Add some soft nudity, some. Add some insipid humor. Add some awful 80's glitz. Wow, voila, you get a truly silly brainless movie which is so awful that it is down to the point of cringe. Really that bad

Why you ought not to let your Mom write and direct yout first feature film

[zink-paul · 5/10 · 24 December 2019]

Tamar Hoffs, Susanna's control-freak mommy, wrote and directed this dog of movie, which was Susanna Hoffs' first (and understandably only) feature motion picture. Shot and released at the height of the Bangles' fame and popularity, lead singer Susanna-gorgeous and oozing sex appeal-should have been able to make fans and movie viewers alike swoon and drool had she been starring in even a dog food commercial, yet this ridiculously lame version of a 1950s beach blanket bingo party movie manages to bury her talent and beauty in a soggy quiche of banal script and inane plot. Fast forward through to near the end to enjoy the one scene where Susanna Hoffs is dancing around to rock music in her bikini-brief lingerie, but be warned: that's as good as it's going to get. Evidently her mother Tamar was front and center during the shooting of her "guy finally gets the girl" sex scene, to make 100% certain that not a speck of titillating Susanna flesh showed (this is the late 1980s.mind you). Her mother succeeded in ensuring both her imagined chastity and the demise of her film career-a shame, because Susanna Hoffs displayed hints and glimmers of real acting talent in this sorry waste of good film stock. (BTW, I gave it a five-star rating because Susanna Hoffs is so damn delicious just to look at...)

How can you go wrong with the lead singer of the Bangles?

[chefscout · 5/10 · 30 June 2000]

How can you go wrong with the lead singer of the BANGLES cast in a starring role by her own mother? This is movie making at its most spectacular and acting at its penultimate achievement.

I still remember when it was being shown on HBO three times a day and I'd sit there, staring at the screen, eating fudgesicles and wondering to myself if there was anything better in this world.

Let me tell you, there wasn't. If you haven't seen this movie, go to the video store now. If you HAVE seen this movie, have a fudgesicle, then go to the video store. When was the last time laughs came this cheap?

If you love the 80s you'll love it

[VideoMagicRental · 6/10 · 29 March 2023]

Not much of a script but a perfect zeitgeist of life in the 80s.

If you just relax and want a slow movie featuring beautiful girls and surfer dudes, it's worth the watch.

It's clear that Hoffs was casted because of her Bangles fame and her mother directing this movie but she can acually quite well. She's vulnerable, charismatic and stunning. I loved seeing Cusack in this as well, you won't see another movie where her facial expressions come this close to her famed brother.

Go watch it if you don't expect much, love the 80s simplicity, sun, beach and simple life.

Cool guest starring role of Pam Grier.

pure nostalgia

[mrw8 · 5/10 · 28 March 2006]

This is a straight to video movie that I watched as part of my quest back in 1987 to watch every minute of HBO since we had just gotten cable and I was totally addicted to TV. I think I represented the target audience of this movie. There are surfers. Cool guys. Hot girls. Rock music. underwear. Jail time. A convertible. Consider this: The main conflict is a couple kids staying up all night. Brilliant! That is all this movie has. And if you are 16 years old then it might be appealing. I'd watch it in a hot second, but it would be mostly from nostalgia. A bad episode of Brady Bunch would be just as good. I think the plot had something to do with graduation and getting laid. HBO was invented for movies like this since no theater would ever sell tickets to it. IT is good but it is not as good as "Hunk".

And you thought your dorm was a blast!

[B.Pico · 9/10 · 18 August 1999]

Very funny comedy involving the last days of college for 3 girls and a videocamera.They go through romantic mis-adventures and two of them even get arrested.The script is funny and contains some great one-liners."This is a mistake,who do we speak to about mistakes?" [Thats a quote from Joan Cusack who the funniest person in it.

Fun, in a minor way, about the last night of college for three lovely gals

[inkblot11 · 7/10 · 15 December 2014]

Molly (Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles) is on the verge of graduating from Pacifica college. Very smart, she will be delivering the valedictorian's speech on the morrow. But, her confidence is a bit shaken. She secretly loves a male classmate, who seems to prefer surfing to her and has never given her an indication of his undeclared affection. Thus, while her roommate Gina (Joan Cusack) is busy videotaping their last days and minutes, Mol hatches another plan. Dressing up to the hilt, she decides to make a play for a famous musician residing at a nearby hotel. A second roommate, Val (Dedee Pfeiffer), is already there, romancing her obnoxious, rich boyfriend. Yet, the night is young and the police and a bunch of hookers are about to cause trouble for our gals! Will they make it to graduation? This is a fun eighties movie, with attractive performers and a light, zany plot line. No, its not garnered any Oscars yet but will attract fans of romantic comedy, good looking young adults and California scenery. Why night book The Allnighter for tonight?

Typical 80s college comedy romance... but with Susanna Hoffs!

[fishermensmell · 5/10 · 10 January 2021]

Well, this is what it is. A throwaway piece of light-hearted 80s teen romance that follows the typical formula of mixing a group of college friends about to go their separate ways, a banging party and various escapades that threaten to ruin the protagonist's goals (in this case a) get to graduation ceremony and b) get the guy). Personally, I have a bit of a soft spot for this kind of vapid stuff, just because of the glossy 80s vibe and nostalgia, and this has just enough of a heart to make it enjoyable, despite some ropey plot-points and some weak characters (most of the supporting characters are the usual stereotypes). Its main strength is in the charisma of its three female leads: Joan Cusack and Deedee Pfeiffer are recognisable actresses of the era who make their characters warm and likeable; and of course we have Susanna Hoffs who I think does a great job here (I am biased in that I think she's one of the most beautiful women to ever appear on a stage, and if you share this view then you'll enjoy the large amount of screen time she gets here). Add in a cameo from Pam Grier as a no-nonsense Police Chief and this is actually a pretty fun little film.