Chris Evans directs himself and Alice Eve in a comedy-drama about two strangers caught in New York City overnight. The film had its world premiere at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival in the Special Presentations section on September 12, 2014. It arrived on video on demand on July 21, 2015, followed by a limited theatrical release in the United States on September 4, 2015. The budget was $3 million, and the final tally stood at $483,938.
Trailer, via RADiUS.
Nick Vaughan and Brooke Dalton
Nick Vaughan, played by Chris Evans, works as a busker in Grand Central Terminal. Brooke Dalton, played by Alice Eve, drops her phone while rushing to catch a train. Nick returns her broken phone, and Brooke admits she has been robbed and is trapped in the city. She must reach New Haven by morning, but her credit cards fail her, and her phone dies when she tries to call a friend for cash.
Nick offers to pay for a cab, get her a hotel room, or help her find her purse. Brooke insists on New Haven by morning, so Nick tracks the purse to a sweatshop dealing in stolen goods. Inside, Nick retrieves the bag while Brooke uses a payphone to call her husband.
The Sweatshop and the Police
Brooke convinces passing police officers to investigate the building. The sweatshop owners panic, strike Nick, and flee with the bag. Nick and Brooke head for Nick’s friend’s wedding reception to borrow money. Along the way, they open up about why they are in New York.
Brooke had sold a painting and planned to surprise her husband by coming home early. Nick has an audition for a band he has dreamed of joining. Instead, they stumble into an event where they are mistaken for members of the band. Nick and Brooke perform “My Funny Valentine” and flee when the real band arrives.
The Reception and the Letter
After failing to get a bus to New Haven for lack of funds, Brooke borrows a phone, calls a friend, and pleads for her to retrieve the letter she has left for her husband that she does not want him to read. Elated that her problem is solved, Brooke offers to accompany Nick to the reception and pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his ex, Hannah Dempsey.
The Supporting Cast
The film gathers a cast beyond its leads. Emma Fitzpatrick plays Hannah Dempsey, Mark Kassen plays Danny, Elijah Moreland plays Cole, Daniel Spink plays Tyler, John Cullum plays Harry, Alan Cox plays Rich Guy, Anthony Quarles plays Mohawk, Dorothi Fox plays Woman, Allie Woods Jr. plays Man, and Fenton Lawless plays Janitor.
Scott Evans plays the concierge.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The film aims for warmth and spontaneity. It mostly misses both.
The premise is simple: two strangers stranded overnight in a city they love. That simplicity could have been the engine of the movie. Instead, it becomes a machine for jokes about technology, identity, and the ease of pretending to be someone else.
The film’s central weakness is a lack of stakes. Brooke’s urgency is stated but not felt. Nick’s audition is mentioned but barely explored. The comedy lands unevenly, and the romance feels built around a convenience rather than a bond.
Comparing the Two Leads
| Lead | Role | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Evans | Nick Vaughan | Carries the physical comedy |
| Alice Eve | Brooke Dalton | Grounds the emotional beats |
Evans leans into physical comedy throughout. Eve grounds the emotional beats, making Brooke’s desperation feel human even when the plot strains to hold it.
The Budget and the Box Office
The film cost $3 million to make and earned $483,938 back. That is a small margin, and it tells you everything you need to know about how audiences responded.
A Score Below Average
Critics did not respond warmly to “Before We Go.” Reviews were generally negative, and the film underperformed at the box office. The film’s ambitions were modest, and it did not meet them.
Where It Falls Short
- The stakes for Brooke’s journey are stated but never made urgent.
- Nick’s audition for the band is mentioned but never given weight.
- The comedy relies too heavily on physical gags and convenience.
- The romance is built around a lie rather than a connection.
Our Verdict
“Before We Go” is a pleasant enough exercise in star power and New York scenery. It is not a failure, but it is not memorable either. The film’s heart is in the right place, but its execution keeps getting in the way of itself.
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