Movie Review: Adult Night (Starry Mag)
When you are a new parent you begin to wonder when you can eventually put down the diapers and start reintroducing your adult life back into your current situation. With the short film Adult Night, newly minted parents Kevin (Kevin Alejandro) and Lesley (Lesley-Ann Brandt) explore that transition in a rather unconventional way. Ultimately, their choice brings forth an uncomfortable truth that they must face—parenthood changes everything.
Upon first meeting Kevin and Lesley, they appear to be in the swing of one wild night. Yet they are not alone, as that night involves being part of a swinger’s party to help put the fun back in their adult lives and marriage post-children. While both characters appear to feign enthusiasm for getting down and dirty in new ways, the proverbial kinky elephant in the bathroom they have run into reveals more than Kevin and Lesley know.
Kevin gives off a “down for anything” vibe as he goes into play-by-play detail of their night, jarring Lesley just a touch while she tries to keep the mood light and fun. Initially, you are laughing with them when they try to pep-talk and pump themselves up for getting “down and dirty.” Yet the thought of returning to the party seems to be something that neither Kevin nor Lesley want, both trying to find ways to get out of this bizarre situation they are both placed in. When Lesley’s body starts to kick into maternal mode, the audience witnesses both parties finally coming to terms that maybe this party was not the path to reincorporating adult fun back into their lives. But in their realization, they still know how to have fun and be adventurous while they figure out how to escape.
Written by Derek Ray and directed by Kevin and Leslie Alejandro, Adult Night accurately captures the insecurities and fears that new parents face. While I found the storyline quite crazy, I enjoyed the way that Ray captured the feelings of first-time parents. You watch Kevin trying to set the mood and be open to everything for his wife Lesley, even when she ultimately realizes that the swingers party may not have been the best idea at the time. And even as Lesley breaks down over leaking breastmilk through her bra, Brandt’s acting in that moment was a perfect reminder of how many mothers feel as they are trying to get their bodies and emotions under control.
Just as important as dialogue though is the attention to detail on things such as set. When we first meet Kevin and Lesley, they are standing in front of a neon sign that says “Live Colorfully.” The audience gets that they are working on spicing up their marriage on the one night off from taking care of their newborn, Jack. But even more poignant is the sign that we see when Lesley has her breakdown – “Be Kind to Yourself.” It was a simple yet effective reminder that the characters need to cut themselves a little slack as they work through their issues.
Adult Night gives you a little bit of everything: humor, sadness, anger and acceptance. Parenthood is never meant to be fun all the time, but remember to go easy during the adjustment.
(Source: Starry Constellation Magazine)
Written by: Jennifer Vintzileos