Girls' Night
Girls' Night
| 26 June 1998 (USA)
Girls' Night Trailers

Two British best friends and in-laws Dawn and Jackie work together at a factory. When Dawn is diagnosed with a brain tumor Jackie shares $100,000 she's got from her secret lover with Dawn to fulfil her dream - a visit to Las Vegas. They buy two tickets and fly there...

Reviews
Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined
Catherina If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
Staci Frederick Blistering performances.
Delight Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.
Chrysanthepop Though we have seen many such films before, in 'Girl's Night', director Hurran and TV writer Mellor combine several ideas such as financial trouble, sickness, work in a factory, secrets, Las Vegas, marriage, family and of course love and friendship. Though it may seem like too many ideas, it comes together beautifully, resulting in a powerful ending. What makes the film strong is the natural performances by Julie Walters and Brenda Blethyn. Walters shows the growth of her character with élan while Blethyn, though her role is a bit clichéd, plays her part with grace. Their friendship looks very real thanks to the great chemistry between these two terrific actresses. I also liked the sudden shift in location from England to Las Vegas and the contrast between the two cities. The introduction of Kristofferson's character comes as a pleasant surprise and the desert scene that follows brings some colour. I also like how comedy was used in a very subtle way. However, next to being predictable, it is a very sentimental film (which isn't hard to figure given the core subject matter) and in parts resembles a disease-of-the-week TV movie. The supporting cast, that includes some popular names, is wasted. What really elevates it is the strong performances of the two leads. All the moments with Blethyn and Walters and the ending when Walters's character comes to a realization are what make 'Girl's Night' worth the watch.
moonspinner55 40-year best friends, co-workers and sisters-in-law, make it out of their British working class neighborhood for a fantasy trip to Las Vegas, tempered by the fact that one of them is dying. Director Nick Hurran and writer Kay Mellor combine quite a number of different ingredients here (including illness, men-vs.-women, factory life, family problems, financial windfalls, travelogue and lovestruck cowboys), yet, despite some missteps, the movie is a worthwhile weepy anchored by terrific performances. As the firebrand, ill-tempered man-chaser, Julie Walters tones down her sometimes-brash personality and has several beautifully realized moments; as her "mate", Brenda Blethyn juggles the more standardized clichés of a character with a limited amount of time left (she's brave, she glows, she's suddenly stronger and charts her own course), though Blethyn is very engaging here and works so naturally and easily with Walters that their friendship strikes nary a false chord. Hurran's dreamy framing of this story, with a puzzling introduction, may put some viewers off, but those who stick with it will find a rewarding drama about friendship and love. These themes have been touched on before in films--and true, there isn't much originality or surprises in Mellor's script--yet the bumps in the road here are actually rather endearing, and by the end of "Girls' Night" I was moved by the thoughtfully worked-out transition of the plotting. It's a minor gem. *** from ****
Dannybob I got a sneak preview of this film at the Chicago International Film Festival. The producers of the film and Brenda Blethyn made an appearance (she is thinner and a lot prettier in real life IMO). Then the film started. Was I embarrassed for all involved! I guess I was expecting more from a film that featured both her and Julie Walters. Instead we have a middle of the road boo-hoo fest with more formulas than a chemistry class. We even get an embarrassing in-your-face sex scene with Ms. Walters that was totally unnecessary. You can skip this one. Blethyn and Walters have done a lot better before and since this one.
edward wilgar Girl's Night is a bit sentimental for my taste and there were fewer funny lines than I expected but the performances are the thing and both "girls" are superb and great foils for one another.I particularly enjoyed the Las Vegas section as I was there last year so it all came back.