'A Night with Nathan' Review: A Poignant, Hopeful Comedy-Drama

Outside the Spotlight
6 hours ago
4 min read

Official poster for Brent Baird's 'A Night with Nathan.' — Official poster for **Brent Baird's** *A Night with Nathan.*

With A Night with Nathan I wanted to make a male bonding film that took place over the course of one night that explored themes of loneliness, male masculinity, mental health, sexual abuse, and finding connection when you least expect it. Indie filmmakers who make small character based films like Kevin Smith and the Duplass Brothers have always been a big inspiration.

- Brent Baird (writer/director/actor)

Peter Comrie in Brent Barid's 'A Night with Nathan.' — **Peter Comrie** is womaising alcoholic Stan,

A Night with Nathan is a comedy-drama co-written and directed by Brent Baird, who also stars alongside his co-writer Peter Comrie. Following a womanizing alcoholic named Stan (Peter Comrie) who, develops an unlikely friendship with the son of one of his flings, forcing him to confront himself and his ways of thinking.

Stan and Nathan's (Brend Baird) first meeting is- needless to say- a little awkward; with Stan occupying Nathan's mother's bed (Diane Newling). An awkward "Did you just f**k my mom?" and a low-budget pigeon film later, A Night with Nathan transforms into something much deeper than it initially lets on.

A Night with Nathan begins with Stan sleeping in his car after having been kicked out of the house by his wife Bonnie (Natasha MacLean). We establish quickly that it's probably not that Bonnie just wanted some alone time, and that Stan hasn’t been the best husband. So, he passes his time as any self-respecting man would: drinking and profusely calling his wife- who won’t take his calls, let alone have a face-to-face conversation.

Peter Comrie snd Diane Newling in 'A Night with Nathan.' — Stan hooks up with Cheryl, played by **Diane Newling**.

Stan leaves his wallet at Nathan’s mother’s house, causing Nathan to track him down to return it. He is oddly friendly from the get-go and even makes a Say Anything-style attempt to help Stan make up with Bonnie, which not only doesn’t work but makes things worse. Now Nathan feels bad and insists on buying Stan a drink. He agrees, and the night begins.

Along the way, we meet a colourful cast of characters including a former rockstar who now apparently roams the bar getting other people to buy him drinks. We also learn that Nathan, at the ripe old age (!) of 33, has never been in a relationship, and has been intimate with only one woman in his life. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Stan starts to teach the awkward Nathan about how to talk to women and makes it his mission to catch Nathan up on his missed-out-on experiences before the night is through.

Brent Baird and Peter Comrie in 'A Night with Nathan.' — **Brent Baird** and **Peter Comrie** are unlikely duo Nathan and Stan.

Despite the fact that Stan at this point is quite an unlikable person, and his reaction to Nathan’s confession was hardly encouraging, his willingness to help Nathan build his confidence is rather wholesome. A Night with Nathan starts to develop its tone from something tragically comedic into something a little more sincere, and there is also enough intrigue around its characters that it keeps you invested in their story through the awkwardly-paced first half.

What’s interesting about A Night With Nathan is that on the surface, it feels like a familiar formula: Two unlikely friends bond over alcohol and the pursuit of a good time, one is outgoing and confident and the other is awkward and socially inept. But Brent Baird and Peter Comrie explore these dynamics of unlikely bonds in fresh ways. A man and the son of a woman with whom he had a one-night-stand is certainly not your typical duo, and whilst there exists a plethora of “coming-of-age” stories, not many concern somebody who isn’t a teenager; and if they do, it probably stars Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly. And whilst Nathan and Stan aren’t creating vulgur music videos or playing with drum kits, they do fill a sort of void in each other’s lives.

Marissa Rasmussen and Rafia Iqbal in Brent Baird's 'A Night with Nathan.' — **Marissa Rasmussen** and **Rafia Iqbal** are Jasmine and Mercedes.

Their city night pursuits eventually get them invited back to the home of two young women, Jasmine and Mercedes (Marissa Rasmussen and Rafia Iqbal) who, after providing a red herring of the film’s changing direction (which I must say I was initially quite disappointed we didn’t head into), A Night With Nathan reveals what it’s really all about.

Without getting into spoiler territory, it explores uncomfortable topics that really aren't talked about enough. It’s a film that does ask for your patience and for you to stay with it long enough for it to find its footing. A slighlty dragged out ending aside, the result is not only genuinely surprising but important. Baird touches on a number of topics that aren’t typically talked about in men's everyday experiences. It looks at "traditional masculinity" tropes, and what might be behind that façade, challenging the idea that "men shouldn't talk about their feelings."

A Night With Nathan is a bold and enjoyable piece by a filmmaker that clearly has a lot to say.

For more, visit the film's official website.

About the filmmaker

Brent Baird, co-writer/director and star of 'A Night with Nathan.' — **Brent Baird**, co-writer/director and star of *A Night with Nathan.*

Brent Baird is a writer, director, and actor born and raised in London Ontario, Canada. He is a graduate of the Fanshawe College Theatre Arts program and since graduating has acted in several commercials, indie films, and television productions. In 2020 Brent released his first feature called Seeking Oblivion as a writer, director, and star. A Night with Nathan is his second feature. Visit Baird's IMDb.