The Allnighter is a 1987 American comedy film directed by Tamar Simon Hoffs and starring Susanna Hoffs, Dedee Pfeiffer, Joan Cusack and Pam Grier. It was released on May 1, 1987. Plot Molly (Hoffs), Val (Pfeiffer) and Gina (Cusack) are graduating college, but on their final night, frustrations are aired. Molly is still looking for real love and Val is beginning to doubt if that is what she has found. Gina is too busy videotaping everything to really notice. When the final party at Pacifica College kicks off, things do not go exactly as planned. Cast Susanna Hoffs – Molly Dedee Pfeiffer – Val Joan Cusack – Gina James Anthony Shanta – Killer John Terlesky – C.J. Michael Ontkean – Mickey Pam Grier – Sergeant McLeesh Christian Roerig – Dirk Roburn Doug Choo – Uncle Vance Production The film was also known as Cutting Loose. It was written and directed by Hoffs' mother who had directed a number of music videos, including the Bangles' Going Down to Liverpool, and two short films, including The Haircut with John Cassavetes. She said: Movies are never 100% accurate because they're one step away from reality, but I think this is an accurate depiction of young people-and not just kids in Southern California in 1987. I went to Yale and the experiences depicted in the film are very much like experiences I had at school. In fact, the three female leads are loosely based on myself and my two roommates. There are certain stories you can tell over and over and it's possible to have enormous amounts of content buried in a film like this. Being in school delays having to deal with certain aspects of life and these kids are still a bit innocent, so on one level the film is about the end of innocence. It's also about the relationships that develop between people when they live together at a certain point in their lives. Tamar Hoffs called the film as "sort of a beach party movie intended for kids from 14 to 16... I've always loved beach party movies", she admits, "because they're optimistic and ask nothing more of the viewer than the price of admission and just hanging out-and that's pretty much the mood of `The Allnighter.' It's a light, easy film about a moment in time when friendship really counts." Tamar Hoffs said she did not write the film