The main plot line of "Take Me Home Tonight" is one that should be compelling: college-grad loser decides to finally come out of his shell and enter the "real world". However, there are so many poor elements embedded in this movie that it completely overshadows what could have been a decent story.For a basic plot summary, this film sees Matt Franklin (Topher Grace), a mathematical genius, wasting away his post-college life working at an outlet video rental store and never venturing much further out than that. When his old high school crush Tori Frederking (Teresa Palmer) shows up, however, Matt decides to throw caution to the wind for one night to impress her.There are two main problems with this movie: First, it is billed as a nostalgic comedy, but lives up to neither term. It was beaten to the "80s memories" punch by "Hot Tub Time Machine", and is utterly lacking in humor (I laughed twice the entire showing). So, the entire premise for the film fails miserably.Can the acting save the day? Nope. Grace & Palmer are serviceable as the leads, but their characters are so ridiculous that it doesn't give them much room to act. Then, Anna Ferris is given the most shallow role of the whole film. It was almost as if the writers were shocked to have her name in the film, but then didn't know what to do with her. Whenever (at the brief moments) that this film actually makes you care, Ferris' plot line drags it right back down again.Thus, I cannot recommend "Take Me Home Tonight" to any audiences. If you want some good 80s-nostalgia belly laughs, turn to "Hot Tub Time Machine" instead. This one will only let you down.

"Take Me Home Tonight" deserves points for capturing that teen movie feel of a life-changing party; for the most part, at least. On a technical level, the '80s elements are pretty superficial; you could set this in the '90s or even today and it'd be the same story. As such, it owes something to "Can't Hardly Wait", and maybe some of the ennui from "The Graduate".What kinda surprised me is how some of the side players threatened to steal the movie (Demetri Martin, Anna Faris, and especially Michael Biehn).All that said, the period gags don't crash and burn like some recent movies, and it makes for a decent way to kill 90 minutes.6/10

Straight outta 1980s LA comes a night to remember. MIT graduate Matt Franklin (Topher Grace) hangs onto a dead-end job at a video rental, as he hates the calling of his intellectual capacity. Still hooked on Tori Frederking (Teresa Palmer), his lifelong crush initiated, when a truth and dare in mid-school had them make out in a closet (at least theoretically as Matt failed on his dare). A chance meeting has him reinvent himself as a successful Goldman Sachs employee, which ends in him being asked to come to a high-school reunion party at golden boy Kyle Masterson (Chris Pratt), who happens to the long-term boyfriend of his twin sister Wendy (Anna Faris). Together with best pal and recently fired car salesman Barry (Dan Fogler) the trio venture on a quest to win over the girl, get wasted and have the party that defines their life.Searching a zeitgeist of the 1980s director Michael Dowse focuses much attention to introducing a resounding score full of hits of the period, which by and larger make the movie, making viewers reminisce that the pop era is also largely responsible for some of the most enticing tunes ever. Rich in brilliantly engulfing songs all that is required is delivering a fairly intriguing and funny story to carry the remainder of the picture. Grace and Palmer make for a sympathetic pair, engaging and loaded with a well researched feel for the time. Grace is reminiscent of Tom Cruise from "Risky Business" with a dash of Feris Bueller, while Palmer forms an amalgamate of love interests of the period. Nonetheless what invariably falters is the script, which plods along making the whole proceedings feel somewhat template and meretricious. The throwback of "Hot Tub Time Machine", much more tongue and cheek, somehow functions better than a straight forward attempt to make a comedy with true 1980s zeal. Situations lack flow and ergo promise of a wacky joyride dissipate with an unconvincing coming-of-age comedy lacking true wit and conviction.

This film has 70 reviews. Now that I consider very low for a movie that has released last year. Romantic comedies are very popular and when they star big names, they can pull in big audiences. Unfortunately that is not the case here. Okay so I am not a pro when it comes to romantic movies but that doesn't mean that I am out of touch with the real world. Many situations could relate to so I could convey my honest opinion. So what went wrong. Well firstly the basic theme is just too outdated. It's a very routine story. It has been witnessed too many times. Maybe if it was convincgly depicted I could believe in it. On the comedy level the film succeeds in making one laugh. Dan Fogler is like the Zack Galifinakis here and at regular intervals is the saving grace of the film. However Anna Faris was wasted in a minor role which didn't connect with the main plot. She isn't the'scary movie' queen any more, so she should have avoided this. Teresa Palmer was like a breath of fresh air. Good acting on her part but Topher Grace was spectacular. He held up most of the movie. A character that most guys out there could relate to, insecure and hopeful. The main culprit is the script. I doubt Jackie and Jake have ever experienced love or even been in a relationship themselves. Their view and perspective on relationships is half baked. I doubt a woman would forgive a guy for lying about himself after he attempts risking his life in a large steel sphere. But I guess that is the method of showing your manliness and good heart. That was a cliché. It's acceptable for things to work out in the end, but more realism was needed. With a running time of 90 minutes I guess it would have been difficult to accomplish this. Overall not a bad attempt.If you like party movies, go ahead.