Late Night Shopping (2001)

Not even bad in a good way

Good concept, poorly executed.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

As far as films go, this is likable enough. Entertaining characters, good dialogue, interesting enough story. I would have really quite liked it had I not been irritated immensely whilst watching at the utter disrespect it shows the city it is set in.Glasgow. In Scotland. Yet every character is English (save for Sean's girlfriend, who is Dutch). Scottish accents are heard only fleetingly in menial jobs & roles. As a Scottish woman (& as a viewer who likes her "real life" films to be a bit more like real life) I really don't think it would have hurt to use any one of the countless talented Scottish actors...or at least got English ones who could toss together a decent accent! The futile attempt at using the word "wee" a few times did nothing but to further the insult.

"Late Night Shopping" is a little, lukewarm Brit friends comedy which follows the lives and loves of a trio of young Glasgow guys who spend most of their time trying to figure out their lives and loves. The film wanders from pillar to post seemingly searching for its story until it settles on one couple and the reconciliation of some relationship-busting indiscretions. There's probably more right with "Late Night Shopping" than there is wrong with it, but it is not sufficient to warrant a trip to the video store. Unengaging, monotonous at times, but with a solid cast and an occasionally pang of poignancy or heart, this flick may have some appeal for young adults, Scots or Brits, fans of the players, etc. All else pass. (C)

Firstly, I have to say I watched this on video recommended by a friend so didn't get the 'cinema' experience of it. Not that there's a single striking image that would be worthy of the big screen. I just didn't buy any of it. The performances were average, actors waiting for their next cleverly constructed but ultimately contrived line and the direction adequate but little more. Mildly amusing but not a patch on a film like CLERKS which it clearly tries to emulate/plagiarize. I understand this has been highly praised, but for me, must do better.

These days, the majority of people on earth watch American films, which are quite often filled with action and / or effects. There are of course films about ordinary life, like American Beauty, which attract major attention, but are there any else? Does the film industry consist of films full of action and effects and a few simple made, though qualitatively good films? Are all good films made in America? The answer to those questions are No and No!!! There are films, that do manage to entertain without big effects and explosions. Some of them are made in America and remain virtually unknown like Finding Forrester. But there are also a number of good and simply made European films, that never get the attention they deserve. Hereby I must add that the level of attention European films get is even lower than the attention that is given to simply made American films (unless it is some sort of HIT film). Late Night Shopping is one of those European films that deals with ordinary life, but does it manage to entertain? Before I get to that though, I must tell you, that this movie is targeted at a late teen / young adult audience, which is not a bad thing, but Since I've seen the film I must tell you, that this film will not be enjoyed by many persons not belonging to the target audience. Late night shopping, is about four youngsters Jody, Vincent, Sean and Lenny who all work graveyard shifts. After work these ‘acquaintances' meet in a café to talk about their daily hassles. There it is, that we meet those four persons that will dictate the next 91 minutes of our life. In the course of the film, a lot becomes clear, about the personalities of the characters, but this film is more than a character study. It also shows the development and of true friendship. I'd like to quote Vincent here, standing on a miniature golf course with Lenny, but I do not want to spoil your viewing experience. Of course I realized, that nothing much happens in this film. I noticed that it contains a lot of pointless behavior, like sitting in a café, talking or riding around in the car with no particular place to go, but aren't those pointless routines, what make life enjoyable? Isn't it great to be able to do nothing special with your friends and having fun at the same time? By know, I might have you thinking, that this is the best film of all times, well it is entertaining, but it isn't that good. I mean, the actors, the story and the music are all good, without any ground breaking achievements, but what really made the difference between this being a pretty good film and a good film, was the director I think. I feel, that if he had paced and directed this movie just a notch better, it would have done the trick and this film would have been good. Now it is just pretty good. I know some people might argue that the ‘soap scenes' are idiotic, but they didn't bother me at all. As far as pointless films go this one holds up pretty well, despite not being able to match itself with Mallrats or Chasing Amy (which are both American films by the way). 7 out of 10