The concise nature of the restrained story time forces events to happen quickly, for characters to forge relationships there and then. It feels intimate because the audience is there from beginning to end without any stops. There are no lost hours to passing days and periods of sleep, no need for flashbacks and back-story, and no time for extraneous exposition. The audience is along for the ride every step of the way.

The following films are perfect examples of stories that take place, predominantly, over one night. Let us know which ones are your favourites in the comments section below. Which films would you add to this list?

The allure of the single location film
Films set in a single location (or predominantly in a single location) have always fascinated me. Perhaps it’s their theatre roots, as many single-location films derive from the work of playwrights. The consequence of that is strong characterisation, an emphasis on good acting, and tight control of plot that usually takes place over a few hours.
Another reason I am a fan of single location (and indeed single day films or those set over a short prescribed period of time) derives from my distaste …