After Hours

After Hours has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in the US on Criterion Channel. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 1,769 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Griffin Dunne is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Criterion Channel.

After Hours is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The jokes in After Hours land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Desperate to escape his mind-numbing routine, uptown Manhattan office worker Paul Hackett ventures downtown for a hookup with a mystery woman. Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1985. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and After Hours holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It rarely drops the ball, and when it does, it recovers fast.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in After Hours. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Griffin Dunne sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.