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Night Shift
1982 106 min United States of America R 12+
★6.9
Comedy
Director: Ron Howard
Trailers
Description
A nebbish of a morgue attendant gets shunted back to the night shift where he is shackled with an obnoxious neophyte partner who dreams of the "one great idea" for success. His life takes a bizarre turn when a prostitute neighbor complains about the loss of her pimp. His partner, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night.
Budget:
$8.1M
US Gross:
$21.1M
Worldwide:
$21.1M
Starring
Henry Winkler
Actor
Michael Keaton
Actor
Shelley Long
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1983
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Key opinion
Night Shift is remembered primarily as a landmark debut for both director Ron Howard and actor Michael Keaton, serving as a modest but significant entry in 1980s comedy. While many viewers appreciate its nostalgic charm and quirky premise, contemporary critics note that its comedic impact has faded, with opinions on its overall quality now appearing quite split.
| Originality | The film serves as a pivotal historical milestone, marking the successful feature debut of both Ron Howard as a director and Michael Keaton as a lead performer. | |
| Production | The production design successfully captures a specific, evocative aesthetic of 1980s New York, complete with billboard-cluttered streets and synth-pop atmosphere. | |
| Acting | Michael Keaton’s performance is polarizing; some view his high-energy, twitchy approach as an amusing spark that enlivens the film, while others find his antics overly frantic or clumsy. | |
| Humor | The comedic effectiveness is divided; while early audiences found the premise entertaining, modern viewers increasingly perceive the humor as dull and lacking in genuine laughs. |