A Long Night

Rating: 5/10 (4 October 1998)

Hearing of the abysmal reviews this movie has earned, as well as seeing the name Amy Heckerling (Clueless) during the opening credits, I feared for the worst. However, A Night at the Roxbury proves that no one is perfect, and all film-makers can bounce back.
Doug (Chris Kattan) and Steve (Will Ferrell) Butabi are two very atypical young adults. They work at their father's silk flowers store, ringing up customers and making deliveries. They still live at home, and have no goal in life except to go clubbing and score! Although, they own expensive suits and drive (dad's) expensive cars, they just can't seem to get with it. One night after being tossed out of the famous club, the Roxbury, the brothers get the idea of one day starting their own club. Therefore, the rebellious brothers leave the reins of their father (Dan Hedaya) and begin going into business for themselves.
This movie, which was directed by John Fortenberry, had many weaknesses to begin with. First off, since the movie was produced by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels, Roxbury had a very small budget. It also was very unable to achieve the big names that a movie like this could have used. Only washed up actors like Loni Anderson and Richard Grieco made the big names list, with fellow SNL cast members Molly Shannon and Colin Quinn getting large billings as well. Second, the movie starred two characters that previous to this movie didn't have names, identities, or lines longer then `Wanna dance?'
I found myself laughing on many occasions. Though I was never rolling around on the floor busting a gut, I wasn't bored silly. The storyline is weak, and the acting is fairly sub-par. However, the set design and the soundtrack, which features the Butabi brothers' signature tune What is Love, are a very notable highlight to the film.
Overall, I guess I would have to say that although this was not nearly one of the funniest movies I've ever seen, was not bad either. I say, if it's raining next weekend, and you don't have anything else to do, check out A Night at the Roxbury. **