This is an OK movie at best. As one of Ron Howard's earliest efforts it highlights his two greatest traits; his willingness to employ friends and family (eg. Henry Winkler and his brother Clint) and his ability to make a commercial film. His mentor Roger Corman bragged about never having lost a dime on a movie and I have little doubt that Ron Howard can echo that claim. My only real complaint comes near the end of the film, when during an orgiastic party in the morgue a woman exposes her breasts. Given the tawdry nature of the film the shot shouldn't be so jarring but it is the only nudity in the entire film. Howard had made an entire film essentially about prostitution without any nudity up to that point, so there was no reason to descend into nudity in that shot. It is the definitition of gratuitous. If nudity bothers you don't see this film, but if you want to see a film about prostitution, I can't believe that a little nudity would make a difference. It's unnecessary and Howard's taste improved as time went on.
Review of Night Shift
