New Year’s Eve; the breakup; Thanksgiving and the bathroom fight; opening monologue.
Those are the final choices; many other scene proposals are retained in the findings.
In the discussion (15)
- The opening conversation is proposed for its vulgar rhythm and immediate setup of the friendship and hard-R tone.
- The softball game and first bar sequence are grouped as a rewatchable run.
- The first Mothers sequence is praised for the flirting, jokes, and sense of a crowded dating scene.
- The double date is praised for the exchanges between Bernie and Joan.
- The falling-in-love date montage is proposed.
- The move-in sequence and its transition into another montage are proposed.
- The post-fight montage, fitted-sheet beat, and ensuing sex sequence are proposed.
- Thanksgiving dinner and the bathroom fight are proposed as a gripping relationship-collapse sequence.
- The kindergarten scene and Christmas-party confrontation are proposed.
- New Year’s Eve is a final choice.
- The breakup is a final choice and is praised for feeling like a real breakup.
- The post-breakup diner, one-night stand, Mothers, and rainy confrontation are proposed as a rewatchable aftermath run.
- The final softball game is proposed as a strong ending.
- The opening is a final choice because its monologue catches attention before the images begin.
- Thanksgiving and the bathroom fight are a final choice because the relationship deterioration is gripping.
Workplace affairs; period names and technology; Air Jordans and the Wrigley shirt.
The discussion retains several specific markers of 1986.
In the discussion (5)
- Workplace affairs involving both leads’ bosses are proposed as especially 1986.
- The names Debbie, Joan, and Pat are proposed as period-specific.
- Double headphones, the stereo system, and indoor smoking are proposed.
- Danny’s Air Jordans and the no-lights Wrigley Field shirt place the movie in a narrow mid-1980s window.
- A lithium joke, a Blade Runner reference, and looking someone up in the phone book are proposed as period markers.
Title use; structure; Chicago; friendships; montages; meeting people in person.
Performance details, comedy, and lived-in production detail are also retained.
In the discussion (9)
- Repeated use of the movie title is praised because it works each time.
- The rom-com structure, Chicago setting, and best-friend relationships are praised.
- Megan Mullally’s brief performance is proposed.
- Bernie’s worried reaction when Danny unravels is praised.
- The first self-cooked Thanksgiving and the relationship montages are praised.
- Meeting romantic partners in person before dating apps is proposed as nostalgic and enduring.
- Small costume and prop details make Bernie feel lived-in.
- Several of Bernie’s lines are proposed for their lasting comedy.
- The breakup improvisation story is introduced with “not positive this is true,” and the reaction is described as possibly genuine.
Rooftop pan to Wrigley; rubber duck in the black bathtub.
Two shots receive support.
In the discussion (2)
- The rooftop pan toward Wrigley Field is selected.
- The bathtub shot focused on a yellow rubber duck against the black tub is selected.
Joan’s affair with Gary; the Swallow City Diner subplot.
Both character logic and plot machinery are criticized.
In the discussion (2)
- Joan’s affair with the married Gary is proposed because his New Year’s Eve behavior is implausible.
- The Swallow City Diner subplot is proposed as thin machinery for Danny’s redemption and future.
Danny’s stalking; the clothes.
The final-scene overalls receive a divided response.
In the discussion (4)
- Danny’s stalking phase is proposed.
- Debbie’s clothes are proposed as badly dated.
- The men’s fashion is proposed as especially dated.
- Debbie’s overalls in the final scene receive a divided response.
Danny’s boss; Gus.
Both supporting performances are proposed.
In the discussion (2)
- Danny’s boss is proposed for his exaggerated bird reaction.
- Gus at the diner is also proposed.
Bring back relationship-centered rom-coms; do not root for Danny and Debbie.
Demi Moore’s full commitment is also proposed as a model.
In the discussion (4)
- Modern romantic comedies are criticized for relying on high concepts instead of simply showing a relationship.
- Demi Moore’s willingness to commit physically to the role is proposed as a model later romantic comedies did not follow.
- One take rejects rooting for Danny and Debbie or wanting them together at the end.
- The objection is that Danny is attractive but otherwise has few visible qualities or interests that explain Debbie’s attachment.
Robin Thomas; diner owner and Danny’s boss also considered.
Robin Thomas emerges as the likely choice.
In the discussion (2)
- The diner owner and Danny’s boss are proposed.
- Robin Thomas, identified through another role, is selected as the likely winner.
Megan Mullally.
Catherine Keener is mentioned only as an unspotted cameo.
In the discussion (2)
- Megan Mullally’s bar character is treated as the obvious heat-check winner.
- Catherine Keener is mentioned as an unspotted waitress cameo rather than a supported winner.
Rob Lowe near this period; several subject-specific debates.
Demi Moore is rejected here; other peaks include breakup scenes, movie bars, and Chicago softball.
In the discussion (8)
- Rob Lowe is supported near this period, while peak West Wing is raised as the alternative.
- Demi Moore is rejected for this film.
- Jim Belushi is placed around the later run of According to Jim.
- Before Midnight is selected as the peak breakup scene.
- Elizabeth Perkins is placed at Big or shortly afterward.
- When Harry Met Sally is favored for New Year’s Eve romantic-comedy scenes.
- Mothers is placed high among movie bars.
- Chicago softball and Chicago around 1986 are supported, while Chicago movies as a whole are rejected.
Tom Cruise.
Cruise is also proposed as a plausible Danny.
In the discussion (1)
- Tom Cruise is selected and is proposed as a plausible Danny.
Keep About Last Night.
Sexual Perversity in Chicago is judged too strong for this adaptation.
In the discussion (1)
- About Last Night is preferred because Sexual Perversity in Chicago overstates the film’s perversity.
The 2014 all-Black remake already exists; a later-life reunion is proposed.
A divorced-coparents setup is suggested for the reunion.
In the discussion (2)
- The category acknowledges that an all-Black remake was released in 2014.
- Past efforts to reunite Danny and Debbie are reported, followed by a proposed divorced-coparents story.
Mothers softball jersey; original Air Jordans.
The Jordans are treated as the valuable choice.
In the discussion (2)
- A Mothers softball jersey or other Mothers item is proposed.
- Danny’s original Air Jordans are proposed as the most valuable choice.
Don’t ever lose your sense of humor.
The line is selected directly.
In the discussion (1)
- Do not lose your sense of humor is selected as the best lesson.
Jim Belushi; a possible Demi Moore choice remains unclear.
Two machine-transcript choices support Jim Belushi; the possible Demi Moore choice is not counted without recording verification.
In the discussion (2)
- Two machine-transcript choices select Jim Belushi.
- The answer following “Who won the movie?” is unclear in the machine transcript; possible candidate Demi Moore is not counted.
Podcast choices
Most Rewatchable Scene
