Jul 12, 2024 - Culture

Raunchy Chicago rom-com "About Last Night" revisited almost 40 years later

Two men in blazers and ties walking across a Chicago bridge in mid-conversation. — Jim Belushi and Rob Lowe cross the Chicago River in a scene from the 1986 film "About Last Night." Photo: TriStar Pictures/Getty Images

Our Friday Film Club pays homage to the great films shot right here in Chicago by visiting their locations years later.

The big picture: It was 40 years ago that the dark romantic comedy based on a David Mamet play showcased young Brat Packers Demi Moore and Rob Lowe.

The movie: "About Last Night."

Flashback: The film, which also starred Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins, debuted in 1986 but was shot all over town in 1985.

Fun fact: The script was adapted from Mamet's "Sexual Perversity in Chicago" by writers Tim Kazurinsky and Denise DeClue. The same duo wrote "My Bodyguard" a few years earlier.

Are we ready? Let's see how some of the locations hold up:

Softball diamonds

Grant Park

Woman in pink shirt and black pants jumping in the middle of a baseball diamond with the Chicago skyline in the back. — Carrie jumps for joy on the softball diamond that started (and ended) the movie. Photo: Courtesy of Matt Planer

The beginning and end of this movie take place at the Grant Park softball diamonds. Lowe and Belushi play for a very competitive 16-inch softball team, while Demi Moore and Elizabeth Perkins are cheering for their opponent.

They all go out for drinks after, and the courtship begins.

Rush Street and Mothers

26 Division St.

Up close image of man with black glasses and beard standing across the street from a strip of bars. — Justin wishes it was raining. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

This is the spot where the two first meet and, later, where the ex-lovebirds (spoiler alert) quarrel outside in the pouring rain and Moore delivers the phenomenal "you don't know what love is" line.

Most of the bar scenes in the film take place at Mothers, but lore suggests that they actually shot most of the interiors at a different bar across Rush Street.

Under the L Tracks

Sheffield and Oakdale

Cars under brown train tracks. — Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

The new couple walk hand in hand under the L tracks after seeing a game at Wrigley, and they're clearly falling in love.

Now, this could be anywhere along the North Side tracks, but one area in particular actually lines up because of its access and proximity to other shots. It's just east of Sheffield Avenue on Oakdale Street in Lakeview.

Kelly's Pub

949 W. Webster Ave., Lincoln Park

Man in black shirt standing outside a red brick building that has a faded Miller Lite sign. — Justin looks at the L tracks at Kelly's on Webster Avenue. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios

After their first couple of dates, Moore eats brunch with friends and is pleasantly surprised to see Lowe walk into the same establishment.

The establishment is Kelly's Pub in Lincoln Park.

The Chess Pavilion

Lakefront Trail, between North and Division

Lake Michigan and Chicago skyline with the John. Hancock featured prominently. — Photo: Monica Eng/Axios

The curve of the lakefront just south of the Chess Pavilion near North Avenue is iconic so it's not surprising that the movie used it in the montage showing Moore and Lowe falling in love.

Woman in pink shirt and black pants running down lakefront path. — Carrie is running after Moore. GIF: Carrie Shepherd/Axios

The bottom line: As the movie rolls to credits, the cameras follow Lowe running after Moore. The film zooms out to show the 1985 skyline, accompanied by a John Waite ballad.

There's just no better way to end a Chicago classic.

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