A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon is a 1988 coming-of-age drama directed by William Richert and adapted from his own novel. The film has been distributed under the alternate title Aren't You Even Gonna Kiss Me Goodbye? and was released by 20th Century Fox. It is best remembered for featuring rising young actors of the late 1980s and for its focus on the transitional moment between adolescence and adulthood.

Overview

The story centers on a young protagonist confronting decisions that will shape his immediate future: matters of romance, friendship, and responsibility. Told as a character-driven drama rather than a high‑concept preteen comedy, the film examines how a single night or short period can crystallize long-term direction for a person on the cusp of adulthood.

Principal cast and characters

  • River Phoenix — the lead, one of the film’s most prominent draws at the time.
  • Ann Magnuson — a supporting figure who helps define the protagonist’s social world.
  • Meredith Salenger — a principal co-star involved in the film’s romantic and emotional threads.
  • Matthew Perry — an early screen appearance before his later television fame.
  • Ione Skye, Alison Goldfrapp and Paul Kosol — members of the ensemble cast who round out the film’s community of characters.

Production and history

William Richert adapted the screenplay from his own written work and directed the production. Released in 1988, the movie arrived during a period when youth-oriented dramas were prominent in American cinema. Its alternate title was used in some markets and home‑video editions, which has occasionally caused confusion among viewers and cataloguers.

Reception and legacy

Contemporary reviews were mixed and the film did not become a major commercial hit, but it remains of interest for its cast and for its portrayal of late‑adolescent dilemmas. Filmwriters and audiences sometimes revisit it as part of the early careers of River Phoenix and Matthew Perry. Alison Goldfrapp’s presence is noted by some as an early, non‑musical credit before she achieved recognition in the electronic music duo Goldfrapp.

Notable facts

The work is an example of a writer‑director adapting his own novel for the screen, preserving authorial intent while translating a literary voice into cinematic form. The alternate title, the ensemble cast of emerging talents, and the film’s modest profile contribute to its status as a period piece of late‑1980s coming‑of‑age cinema.