A Night in Heaven (1983)

The Worst Film Ever

ridiculous rating

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

SPOIlERS THROUGH:There are a lot more movies made about female strippers then male. In fact I can count on one hand the number of movies I've heard of, made about men taking it off and this is the only one I can recall that wasn't made for television. So, being that this is not a subject that has been overdone, you'd think the movie would have been more interesting then it ultimately turns out to be.First off the flirtatious male stripper is played by Chris Atkins. Now I don't think he's a terrible actor, not at all, and he is a handsome guy. But I didn't buy him in the role at all, mainly because his character just doesn't seem like a male stripper-he's almost to innocent. He always just seemed like a kid with a crush on an older woman. That's it. It's difficult to get into a movie about a male stripper if you don't believe the fact that the Guy Is, in fact, a male stripper. That's not Atkins fault, it's his character himself but the believability aspect was not there on that end. Then there's the chemistry of Atkins and Leslie Ann Warren which is next to none. If this movie wasn't going to have a lot of depth at least it should have had unforgettable chemistry between the leads and that never happened. I didn't buy Warren in this role either and the two together didn't quite fit.Then there's the fact that the movie itself just wasn't that....well....interesting. You'd think it would at least be a little compelling since the subject matter is a little off the beaten path and there aren't many movies about this topic. But the movie, even though it's relatively short, is not compelling, not at all. It isn't bad, or unwatchable but it is just not that interesting.The scenes of the male strippers stripping were completely over the top and not very sexy. But again they should have been. Instead they almost become campy at times. This is a movie that had great potential but somehow it just never comes together. I think the idea of this movie is actually a great one, (after all there are so many movies about female strippers). It would never have been an Oscar winner but had potential as something really different or at least could have explored the Infidelity aspect in the way of a film like "Unfaithful" but it never happens.Then there's the ending. The scene where the husband kidnaps the male stripper on the boat added nothing to the movie and actually took it down a notch. I didn't buy the reconciliation at the end either. Again this isn't a terrible movie but it is disappointing.It is fun to see all the eighties hair styles and other eighties stuff but I wasn't that into the movie. My vote is 5 out of 10.

Christopher Atkins! Lesley Ann Warren!! Eighties top-ten hits! For goodness sakes, the guy who played Tony HOSTED Dance Fever!! I remember that I had a crush on him.This movie is so totally steeped in Eighties pop-culture. From the first scene where Whitney shuts down the computer (get a load of that thing?) to the hot pants worn by Atkins. The Eighties (especially the early Eighties) was a time when the lines blurred between being gay and straight. Ahh those heady pre-AIDS days...At one point in the movie, Ricky (Atkins)responds to his sister complaining about his sleeping around, "I'm 21 years old, I'm right where I'm supposed to be..." And the fashions, man, the FASHIONS. The Peter Pan collars worn by Warren. The red dress complete with puffy sleeves when she goes to the strip club for the first time. The big hair! Pick ANY item worn by Tony... All Eighties, all the time!! And finally - the hottest sex scene that is STILL hot by today's standards!! The Big Easy comes close.... close, but not quite.It's not a great movie. I don't think it's even a mediocre movie. But I DO think it's an IMPORTANT movie. One day our children will watch this movie and think... "what where they THINKING?!??!"

I saw this when I was young, and never really got it until I was 30 something. The writer really identifies with the conflict someone the lead female feels at this age. How lonely and stagnant marriage can be, the urges and desires you can feel you missed out on when younger. Great soundtrack by Jan Hammer and Bryan Adams. Every time I see this film I cry because I can really identify with every woman in this film, from Slick, Patsy, Faye, and even Rick's mom. I have yet to see a film that encaptures everything a woman can be...housewife, vixen, mother, sister...etc. I have been with one person for 8 years and will ALWAYS look for my "Night in Heaven" PS LOVE the way Atkins nibbles on his cookie while looking at Warren!

It just cracks me right up when people mention "A Night in Heaven" and the word "plot" in the same sentence. Yeeping yimminy, take a look at the box cover! All they ever promised us was Chris Atkins in his Xanadu disco-slut-wear, pulsating and gyrating and waving his goodies at the camera. A male nudie flick. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got!Mr. Blue Lagoon prances about the entire movie wearing nothing more than a cheap self-tanner and dental floss. The direction is nothing more than an endless string of tight close-up shots of Mr. Atkins' generously lathered nether-regions. Pure smut. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got!Word of caution: This flick is where that "Obsession" song came from ("I will have you, yes I will have you..wah wah wah...") It's not the Animotion version either, it's, gasp ...even worse. It sounds like it was recorded at one of those amusement park "You be a Star!" karaoke-style "recording studios". Shudder.But that's irrelevant. As is the acting, the cinematography, the editing, the lighting and most of all Lesley Ann Warren. "A Night in Heaven" is all about an oiled-down Atkins, a few clutzy dance moves, and a skimpy boy-toy thong. That's what they promised us, and that's what we got.Yay them!