The title of Edgar Wright’sLast Night in Sohorefers, in part, to the film taking place amidst the nightlife of London’s Soho district. But Wright didn’t think up the name on his own. It actually came from his friend (and fellow director) Quentin Tarantino.
Last Night in Sohois a psychological thriller following Eloise (Thomasin McKenzie), a fashion designer who’s obsessed with the glamour and mystique of the ’60s. She’s taken back in time in the body of an aspiring singer (Sandie, played by Anya Taylor-Joy), discovering the buried secrets of the “Swinging Sixties” and their deadly implications on the present. Emphasizing how important the time period is to the film’s soundtrack,the first trailer featured Taylor-Joy singing “Downtown”, a song from 1964.
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In an interview withEmpire, Wright admitted he was “afflicted with nostalgia” for ’60s London, despite not having been alive to see it. Wright told Total Film that the title forLast Night in Sohoemerged while he was discussing the music of the era with Tarantino. The context was that Tarantino’s filmDeath Prooffeatured the 1968 song “Hold Tight!”. Wright mentioned the band behind “Hold Tight!”, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick, and Tich, andTarantino gave him a personal recommendation— listen to their song “Last Night in Soho”.
Wright’s previous two ideas for the film’s title, “Red Light Area” and “The Night Has a Thousand Eyes”, were both already taken by other films with similar names. He says that when he heard “Last Night in Soho”, he realized the answer was “staring [him] in the face”. Tarantino described the song as “the best title music for a film that’s never been made.” Wright decided he would be the person to finally make that film.
Wright didn’t have much opportunity to tell his plan to Tarantino, who wasworking onOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodat the time. Wright describes a later conversation where he asked Tarantino if he was bothered by having his idea taken. Tarantino told Wright that the idea had actually come from independent filmmaker Allison Anders (who collaborated with Tarantino onFour Rooms), and “only [Wright] could make that movie” anyway.
It’ll be interesting to see how Wright fits the song that inspired him into the film itself. Given the nature of his other films, such asthe brilliant Cornetto TrilogyandBaby Driver, it’ll probably be more clever than just a simple needle-drop gag.
Last Night in Sohowill be available in theaters starting October 29th, 2021.
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