Watch Night Shift
- R
- 1982
- 1 hr 45 min
-
6.5 (18,479)
Night Shift is a comedy film from 1982 starring Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, and Shelley Long. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures, the movie was directed by Ron Howard and written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. It tells the story of two morgue workers, Chuck Lumley (Winkler) and Bill "Blaze" Blazejowski (Keaton), who turn their workplace into a brothel to earn some extra money. However, their business attracts the attention of a dangerous criminal who wants a share of the profits.
The film begins with Chuck Lumley starting his new job as a morgue attendant at a New York City hospital. Chuck is a mild-mannered person who takes his job very seriously and has little excitement in his life. He is introduced to his new co-worker, Bill "Blaze" Blazejowski, who is his complete opposite. Blaze is a fast-talking, always-hustling individual who is always looking for a way to make some quick cash.
After working at the morgue for a while, Blaze comes up with a new scheme to make money. He persuades Chuck to help him turn the morgue into a brothel, with Blaze acting as the pimp and Chuck acting as the accountant. They recruit some of their female friends, including a hooker named Belinda (Shelley Long), to work as their prostitutes.
The business starts off slow, but it gradually picks up as word gets around about the "Love Palace," their new brothel. Chuck and Blaze start making more and more money, and they begin to enjoy their new-found success. However, things take a turn for the worse when they attract the attention of a dangerous Mob boss named Eddie (played by Joe Spinell). Eddie finds out about their business and demands a cut of the profits. Chuck and Blaze refuse, and a tense standoff ensues.
The movie is a hilarious and irreverent take on the underbelly of New York City. It features a talented cast, with Henry Winkler giving a solid performance as the timid Chuck and Michael Keaton stealing the show as the charming and manipulative Blaze. Shelley Long is also excellent as Belinda, who is looking for a way out of her dangerous lifestyle.
The film is full of memorable scenes and lines, including the famous running gag where Blaze mispronounces "l-u-d-i-c-r-o-u-s" as "ludicrous" throughout the film. The movie also features an iconic soundtrack, with songs like "That's What Friends Are For" by Rod Stewart and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones.
Overall, Night Shift is a fun and entertaining film that showcases the talents of its cast and crew. It is a unique look at the dark side of New York City and how two unlikely friends turn a dull job into a lucrative business. It's definitely worth a watch for anyone looking for a good laugh.
Night Shift is a 1982 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 62.