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6.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. La vida nocturna remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have twenty minutes and want to see two grown men absolutely fail at being sneaky, then yes, watch this. It is perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. But if you hate slow-burn slapstick where things go wrong in the most predictable ways, you will probably find it annoying.
I forgot how much I missed the specific way Stan Laurel looks confused. His face just kind of crumbles into itself. It is like watching a balloon slowly lose air while someone is apologizing to it.
The whole plot is basically Stan lying to his wife so he can go to a nightclub with Ollie. It is a classic setup, similar to some of the vibes in Collars and Cuffs, but with more domestic dread. 🏠
Mrs. Laurel is the real hero here. She is not even that mean; she is just way ahead of them. The way she stands there watching them from the window is hilarious. You can see her thinking about how she ended up married to this man in the first place.
There is this one bit with a ladder that is just pure gold. It goes on for so long that you think they are finally done, and then Ollie falls again. It is the kind of physical comedy that feels heavy. You can almost feel the impact when he hits the ground. 💥
I noticed a small thing: the shadows in the backyard scenes look really weird. They probably shot this on a stage, but the lighting makes it feel like a weird dream world. It adds this odd, spooky layer to the comedy that I don't think was intentional. 🌙
Stan tries to be helpful, which is always his biggest mistake. Every time he moves, he makes a noise. It is like his shoes are made of bubble wrap and bells. It reminds me of the chaotic energy in Second Childhood but much more contained.
The scene where they try to pretend to be burglars is where it gets really good. They are so bad at it. Ollie tries to maintain his dignity while wearing pajamas that look two sizes too small. It is painful to watch in the best way possible.
I also love the sound effects. They are very crunchy. When something breaks, it sounds like a whole glass factory is exploding. I love that about these old shorts from this era.
The ending is a bit abrupt, honestly. It just kind of stops when the chaos hits a certain peak. But how else do you end a movie about two guys being this dumb? You can only fall down so many times before the credits have to roll.
You don't need a deep analysis of the "human condition" here. It is just funny. It's about a guy who is scared of his wife and a friend who is a terrible influence. 🍺
One reaction shot of Ollie staring into the camera lasts about three seconds too long and it becomes actually funny because you can see his soul leaving his body. He knows he's going to get hit with a broom soon.
If you like this, you might also want to check out A Jazzed Honeymoon for more of that era's weird charm. It has a similar energy of things going wrong for no good reason.
Also, the cat. There is a cat in this movie that seems genuinely confused by what is happening. I feel for that cat. 🐈
It is not a masterpiece of cinema, but it is a masterclass in how to use a ladder as a weapon of self-destruction. Sometimes that is all you need on a Tuesday night. 🎩🎩
The pacing gets a bit weird in the middle when they are just whispering in the dark. It drags for a minute. Then someone falls through a window and the rhythm is back.
I think the Spanish version, La vida nocturna, has a slightly different feel than the English Night Owls. It feels a bit more frantic. Maybe it is just me. Maybe it is the pajamas.
Anyway, if you want to see Ollie get frustrated and Stan scratch his head until his hair stands up, this is the one. Just don't expect it to change your life. It's just a solid, funny short film about bad choices.
IMDb 6.2
1917
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