Film Review: 'Two Night Stand' is neither titillating nor enlightening

Two Night Stand
Director: Max Nichols
Cast: Analeigh Tipton, Miles Teller, Jessica Szohr, Scott Mescudi
Rating: **1/2

What's it about: It starts out innocently enough. @bestmeganever finds @mrnovember on getsomeromance.com, a short video chat later, they decide to hook up for a one-night stand at his place. That was all it was supposed to be. But a freak blizzard puts paid to that arrangement. The morning after, Megan (Tipton) awakes to find herself stuck inside after being snowed in, with no way to leave. And when her partner for the night, Alec (Teller) rises, it's kinda awkward. A whole day of awkward situations, some bong-smoking later and some constructive criticism later, they come clean (well, almost) and decide to have a second go at it. Until, some secrets make themselves known. Will what began with lust, end in love?

What's hot: The casting is spot-on. Miles Teller is an actor gifted with a remarkable sense of comic timing and has an impish face that probably means he gets out of a lot of tricky situations unscathed. Analeigh Tipton is perfect as the broke, aimless, single and desperate post-grad posing-as-a-pre-med student (TMI, much?). Debutant director Max Nichols (if that name sounds familiar, it's because his dad helmed The Graduate) keeps it simple, with little or no sub-plots to distract you from the action so as to speak. 

What's not: Written by Mark Hammer, TNS had potential to be so much more despite its limited yet promising premise. It's a rom-com, for crying out loud! There's more existentialism here than excitement. For a story that finds its roots and routes in casual sex, it dithers and withers in talk. A little slapstick would be helpful, too.

What to do: If you're looking either for titillation or enlightenment, you're knocking at the wrong door. Otherwise, you'll be content with a one-time viewing.