AllMovie

A turgid but sometimes interestingly off-track melodrama that recalls a weird, late-night cable movie, One Night Stand is lent a credence it probably doesn't deserve by Mike Figgis' role as its director. Figgis makes the most of Joe Eszterhas' woefully underdeveloped story, which only seems to represent character "types" instead of actual people, and is further weighed down by its share of groan-worthy dialogue. The commercial television backdrop of its main character merely compounds the gloss of the overall film, but Figgis' assured visual style keeps it watchable even when meaning is lacking. The cast also provides interest value, with Wesley Snipes quite effective in a change-of-pace straight role and Robert Downey Jr. imbuing a tired, clichéd role with his usual talent and admirable restraint. According to reports, Eszterhas received a huge sum for a mere outline of this film's screenplay, due to his success with Basic Instinct a few years previously. The film changed hands several times, however, and though there are remnants of its origins, Figgis is responsible for the final cut.