After Hours" (1985)
"After Hours" is a 1985 black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese. The film follows the character of Paul Hackett, a New Yorker who experiences a series of misadventures and bizarre encounters throughout a single night in the downtown Manhattan area.
Played by Griffin Dunne, Hackett is an average word processor who meets an attractive woman, Marcy, portrayed by Rosanna Arquette, in a cafe. She gives him her phone number, triggering a surreal, Kafkaesque night full of eccentric characters, escalating misunderstandings, and escalating bad luck.
Despite its dark and manic plot, "After Hours" has a consistent undercurrent of humor. It showcases Scorsese's storytelling prowess and ability to create a vivid and chaotic urban landscape, complete with absurdity and paranoia. The film is often seen as a departure from Scorsese's usual style, trading in his familiar themes of crime and urban decay for a more humorous, fantastical perspective on city life.
This film received positive reviews and remains a cult classic, with many praising its narrative style, dark humor, and the performances of its cast. Notably, it won the Best Director award for Scorsese at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival.
