A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon

Starring:River Phoenix, Ann Magnuson, Meredith Salenger, Ione Skye, Louanne, Matthew Perry, Paul Koslo, Jane Hallaren, Jason Court, James Deuter, Marji Banks, Margaret Moore, Anastasia Fielding, Kamie Harper, Johnny Galecki, Melva Williams, Regan Andreas, E.J. Murray, Mark Winsten, Jack McLaughlin-Gray
Director: William Richert
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

The late, much-missed River Phoenix had his first starring role in A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, one of the more unusual teen comedies of the 1980s. Jimmy (Phoenix) is a lower-class kid whose parents have gotten him into a wealthy school, where he hangs out with kids who can't comprehend not having money. Jimmy puts the moves on almost every girl he meets, including Denise (Ione Skye from Say Anything and Gas Food Lodging), the girlfriend of his best friend Fred (a very young Matthew Perry, who has gone on to huge success on the TV show Friends), even though his own girlfriend, Lisa (Meredith Salenger), is about to move to Hawaii. On the evening of graduation, Jimmy ruins just about every relationship he has and wrecks his dad's car along the way. A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon is based on a novel that screenwriter-director William Richert wrote when he was 19, and you can tell--the movie is full of self-aggrandizing gestures, bad poetry, and wounded looks. But despite that--or because of it--the movie also has something of the genuine chaos of late adolescence, when you start to realize that the dreams you have might not be what you want, and that your worst fears might not be the worst that could happen. Phoenix is a truly charismatic presence, though his fresh face is a bit at odds with his scamming character. The movie isn't a cinematic Catcher in the Rye, but it's exploring the same troubled territory. --Bret Fetzer

Description

Jimmy's about to change his entire life in just one night. It's the eve of high school graduation, the beginning of the rest of his life. But for Jimmy Reardon, it seems like the end. His girlfriend, Lisa, is moving to Hawaii. His friends are going Ivy League. And if his father gets his way, Jimmy is going to a very dull, all male, business school. Jimmy, however, has other plans for himself. In just 24 hours, he's going to demolish his relationship with Lisa, several friendships and his dad's car. River Phoenix (Stand By Me) stars as the irrepressible Jimmy Reardon in this rambunctious comedy.

Customer Reviews:

River Phoenix at his Best!.......2007-03-25

The best actor of his generation.He was too young when he died.He was a great actor.He was also great in Running on Empty,Stand By Me,Dog Fight,Sneakers,The Mosquito Coast,Little Nikkita,Explores,Silent Tongue.

Slept on classic.......2004-09-11

This film is one of the best coming of age films ever made. It's defintely one of the best teen films of the 80's. We lost a great actor in the making when we lost River Pheonix. Check it out you won't be disappointed.

Excellent coming of age film / River's talent.......2004-05-19

I remeber this movie in 1988 quite well because I was transfixed by River Phoenix's character. Based on the novel by Bill Richert "Aren't you even going to kiss me goodbye" Phoenix plays Jimmy a smooth talking charming kid from a working class family who lives in the richer side of town. Hangs with these rich kids who are the type to die if they ever lost their money. While trying to impress and win the heart of the one girl who ever really got to him his girlfriend Lisa ( Meredith Salenger) before she moves to Hawaii. He gets himself into hard situations and troubles just about every relationship he has by sleeping with his best friends ( Mathew Perry) girlfriend, has sex with his mothers best friend. Then smashes his fathers car up in the course of one night. River's character in this film is the type that has a charisma that makes it hard for people to say no to or stay mad at. A funny teen angst movie excellent performance by River Phoenix they couldn't of casted anyone else for this role. One of my favorite 80's coming of age films worth viewing.

one of my favorite movies of all time.......2003-08-08

i went through alot of trouble to see this movie when i was a kid. my mom let me rent it after i looked for it all over the place. i searched everywhere and then i found it at a blockbuster. she said for me to rent it but that she had to watch it with me because she didnt want me watching r rated movies. so i said okay and we went home to watch it and after time after time of having to put my hands over my eyes (and peaking through my little fingers and smiling) jimmy started getting it on with joice fikkit on the floor and mom said for me to go to my room and i was unable to finish the movie.
then finally i go to a friends and we rent it on her dads card because he didnt care what we watched. then of course i could rent it at home because "mom, ive already seen it". this movie was out of print for years but now its on dvd.
jimmys got this holden caufield, rebel without a cause thing with him. in the process of trying to get what he wants he screws things up i guess thats why as 23 year old ive grown to connect with jimmy. i think anyone who has chased the person they love out the door after they chased them out knowing that the person will never come back can appreciate this movie. i think anyone who enjoyed catcher in the rye would appreciate this movie and yes even though i dont like connecting old movies to new ones because i like the old ones better. i think if you liked igby goes down youll find a place in your heart and your movie collection for jimmy.

a past one night stand informs jimmy falsly that she needs his college fund so that she can get an abortion and now jimmys got 36 hours to get his life situated. during this 36 hours jimmy can have any girl he wants but jimmy doesnt want just any girl what he wants is lisa. jimmy finds out his girlfriend lisa is moving to hawaii and he is bound for an all male business school. once jimmy can get the money for the plane ticket he will be destined for a life in hawaii with lisa where she has declared she will go all the way with him.
during these 36 hours jimmy manages to get himself into more trouble than most could manage in years. (based on the book "jimmy reardon" also titled "arent you even gonna kiss me goodbye" by william richert) if you find this book get it when you see it, it is VERY hard to find. i searched for about 10 years and i just got a copy today

River..........2003-08-02

I am a teen boy and I can relate to River Phoenix. He is hot and great in this movie about a sexually frustrated teen. Matthew Perry stars as his "friend". A good teen movie from the 80's. River, you are missed...:(

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