A Night in Heaven

A Night in Heaven

Year: 1983

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: John G. Avildsen

DramaRomanceComedyUnderdogs and coming of ageErotic relationships and desire

In class he blends into the background, but at Heaven, the city’s hottest dance club, he’s the star attraction. Faye Hanlon, a community‑college professor, endures a depressed husband and intense sexual frustration. A night out at a male strip club with her sister reveals that one of the dancers is her struggling student, Rick Monroe—“Ricky the Rocket.” Their illicit affair forces Faye to confront her desires and decide whether to pursue the passionate liaison or try to salvage her distant marriage.

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Timeline & Setting – A Night in Heaven (1983)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Night in Heaven (1983). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

early 1980s

Set in the early 1980s, the film reflects a period of shifting social mores and evolving personal relationships. The era's attitudes toward sexuality and ambition shape the characters' choices and the consequences they face. Economic context, like NASA layoffs, underscores the pressures driving the characters' actions.

Location

Titusville, Florida, Chicago, Illinois

The story centers on a Florida college town setting in Titusville, with scenes that move to a hotel atmosphere used by Patsy and Faye. The campus environment frames Rick's student life and Faye's teaching world, while the hotel and club scenes introduce a contrasting nightlife backdrop. Patsy's origin from Chicago links the Florida tale to a distant family dynamic that complicates the relationships.

🌴 Florida setting 🎓 Academic environment 🎭 Adult entertainment

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

Main Characters – A Night in Heaven (1983)

Meet the key characters of A Night in Heaven (1983), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rick Monroe (Christopher Atkins)

A popular community college jock who also works as a male stripper to pay tuition. He exudes confidence and charm, often crossing lines to get what he wants, including pursuing Faye while treating the situation as a game. Beneath the bravado, he can be reckless and self-serving, driven by momentary desires.

🕺 Jock 💬 Charismatic 💔 Self-serving

Faye Hanlon (Lesley Ann Warren)

An outspoken, prim speech professor whose marriage is strained by Whitney's NASA layoff. She is tempted and challenged by Rick's advances, and she must navigate professional boundaries and personal longing. Her choices reveal a clash between duty and desire, with far-reaching consequences.

🎓 Academic world 💔 Troubled relationship 🔥 Temptation

Whitney Hanlon (Robert Logan)

A rocket scientist who has just been laid off from NASA, facing job insecurity and anger. He reacts with jealousy and control, leading to a drastic act that exposes the fragility of trust. His actions intensify the central conflict and compel others to confront the consequences of their choices.

🚀 Ex-NASA scientist 💔 Jealous husband 🧭 Impulsive

Patsy (Deborah Rush)

Faye's free-spirited sister visiting from Chicago, bringing a lively energy that accelerates the Florida drama. She exposes the Chicago connection and influences the course of events, including introducing Faye to new experiences.

💃 Free-spirited 🌆 Chicago connection 🤝 Catalyst

Slick (Sandra Beall)

Rick's girlfriend who becomes part of the sexual dynamic surrounding the hotel and strip club storyline. She represents a casual, self-serving facet of the affair and adds tension to Rick and Faye's evolving relationship.

💋 Romantic rival 🎭 Complicity

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

Major Themes – A Night in Heaven (1983)

Explore the central themes of A Night in Heaven (1983), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Deception threads through the plot as Rick pursues Faye while keeping secrets from those around him. Faye's marital strain and Rick's double life collide, leading to a cascade of distrust and emotional fallout. The theme explores how pride and secret motives can corrode trust in intimate relationships.

🔥 Temptation

The professor-student dynamic and Rick's nightlife entangle desire with moral boundaries, testing loyalty and professional ethics. Temptation exposes insecurities and prompts reckless decisions that threaten reputations and futures. The narrative treats temptation as a destabilizing force with real consequences.

🧭 Consequences and Forgiveness

After the confrontation and deception comes a reckoning that forces characters to face the fallout of their choices. The conclusion centers on forgiveness and a chance at renewed commitment, rather than simple escape from accountability. The film suggests growth comes from acknowledging mistakes and choosing to rebuild trust.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:15

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A Night in Heaven Summary

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A Night in Heaven Summary

A Night in Heaven Timeline

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A Night in Heaven Timeline

More About A Night in Heaven

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A Night in Heaven (1983) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

A Night in Heaven (1983) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

A Night in Heaven (1983) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow