The Night We Called It a Day (2003)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Paul Goldman

Writers:

Peter Clifton (writer)
Michael Thomas (writer)

Release Date:

14 August 2003 (Australia)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

This nobody is about to catch a big somebody.

Plot:

Based on the true events surrounding Frank Sinatra's tour of Australia. When Sinatra calls a local reporter a "two-bit hooker", every union in the country black-bans the star until he issues an apology. |

Plot Keywords:

Apology | Frank Sinatra | Best Friend | Rock Concert | Crush

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Dennis Hopper	...	Frank Sinatra
Melanie Griffith	...	Barbara Marx
Portia de Rossi	...	Hilary Hunter
Joel Edgerton	...	Rod Blue
Rose Byrne	...	Audrey Appleby
David Hemmings	...	Mickey Rudin
David Field	...	Bob Hawke
Victoria Thaine	...	Penny
Stephen O'Rourke	...	Jilly Rizzo
Nicholas Hope	...	Phil
George Vidalis	...	Vinny
Peter Demlakian	...	Ruby
Tony Barry	...	Ralph Blue
Vincent Ball	...	Rex Hooper
Jennifer Hagan	...	Doris

Also Known As:

All the Way (USA) (DVD title)
All the Way: The Kidnapping of a Music Legend (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language.

Runtime:

Germany:97 min (Filmfest Hamburg) | Argentina:97 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

UK:15 | Argentina:13 | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-11 | Netherlands:AL | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

The Night We Called It a Day Pty. Ltd.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: There are a number of anachronisms in the Sydney backdrops, ostensibly set in the 1970s. The most obvious is the catamaran harbour ferry that crosses the screen, in an early night-time shot of the harbour bridge. These were not introduced until 15 years later in 1988.

Quotes:

Frank Sinatra: I have an apology to make. To all the hookers out there, I compared them to the media.

Movie Connections:

References The Godfather (1972)

Soundtrack:

You Make me Feel So Young

Who knows where the road will lead us?

That song line from "all the way" is emblematic of The Night We Called It A Day, which starts out as a gritty piece of history, but ultimately becomes a testament to the joys of total romantic commitment.

For much of The Night We Called It A Day, I thought I had the movie completely pegged: Frank Sinatra, representing US Cultural Imperialism, running roughshod over the Australian locals. I'm not thin-skinned, and not uncritical of the US myself, so I thought, okay...that along with the voyeur's pleasure of seeing the crude reality of Sinatra's private life portrayed on screen is sufficient for 90 minutes entertainment.

But what starts out seeming like a poison pen letter turns out to be more of a Valentine, and the switch from one to the other makes the conclusion especially satisfying and exhilarating. The filmmakers play fast and loose with the facts toward the end, but the result is worth the artistic license.

I doubt anyone could play Sinatra and come out on top; in his own films Sinatra had a singular presence that could never be duplicated by any mere actor. Hopper isn't mimicking, however, he is acting, and he does a good job of conveying the essence of his character. I imagine the most difficult part of the role was bringing the audience along in those scenes where Sinatra, without dropping his tough guy act, reveals a tiny glimpse of the sweeter inner man. I bought it.

Maybe I was just in a receptive mood, but I immensely enjoyed it.