Topher Grace and Teresa Palmer recently stopped by the King's Bowling Alley in Boston to speak to reporters from various college newspapers, including the Justice. When asked about the concept of the film taking place in one wild night, Grace responded, "Unfortunately, I've never had a night like this. I do remember in your early 20s that feeling of, 'What if tonight is that night?'"

Grace, the film's writer as well as its star, was very interested in crafting an ensemble piece with young actors. "I, at the time [of writing the story] had thought, I really want to work with my peer group," he said.

"I love being in movies with big movie stars, hanging out together for like half a year; you learn a lot. But I thought I really want to do [something more retro]. ... I wish they still made those John Hughes movies where you're blooming with your peers."

In developing the idea for the film, Grace and producer Gordon Kaywin thought it would be ideal to set the picture in the '80s. "Right now all they make are these raunchy movies or romance movies," said Grace.

"Those John Hughes movies, they were all in one, and they were starring these ensembles of young people. So that was my idea [to focus on that style]. Then my producing partner had the idea [to] make a movie set in an earlier time like Dazed and Confused."

In crafting an '80s flick, Grace wanted it be authentic, which meant taking itself seriously and using the songs, not just as a soundtrack, but as a method of lifestyle.

Grace said that the desire was to make "scenes fit songs, not throwing songs on afterward. [The] music intertwined." Grace also stressed, "This is the first movie that isn't a spoof on the '80s."

Agreeing on the film's naturalistic intentions, Palmer noted, "We wanted it to feel like it was a movie that was really made in the 80s. Like we had put it away in a vault and pulled it out and brushed the dust off and we just pressed play. It feels vintage, and I think we managed to capture that."

The shooting of Take Me Home Tonight brought the actors long weeks of work but a lot of fun as well. Palmer said that the shoot lasted for 7 or 8 weeks.

"Even on the weekends we would all have to stay up. So what we did was we hired a party bus and the whole cast-even the directors and the crew [and] executive producers-we'd all go on this party bus and stay up all night. [We'd] stay up until 7 a.m. and then sleep during the day."

"We were partying our asses off in our free time," Grace said.

Grace, who started out his career with a seven season run on That '70s Show, is a veteran of both television and film acting.

When asked about the differences between the two formats, Grace coyly responded, "You know, when I was shooting Traffic I asked Michael Douglas that same question. He stared straight at me and said, 'It's the same thing, kid' and walked away."

In bringing Tonight to the screen, Grace enlisted the help of some old friends from That '70s Show, writers Jeff and Jackie Filgo, who wrote the screenplay. "There's a real [stereotyping] against sitcom writers, because sitcoms are filmed in sort of a cheesy way." Grace commented, "[But Jeff and Jackie] really know my voice and they're a pleasure to work with. They wrote the show during the years [in which] I thought it really went [all] out."

The process of being a writer brought Grace a greater sense of unity with the film's production and it has encouraged him to write again. "I got to spend a lot of time with [director Michael Dowse] that you just don't get as an actor. I felt like I arrived with a real knowledge of everything about the film. That would be the reason I'd want to do it again if I did," he said.

In terms of what the audience should expect to take away from the film, Grace makes note of the timeless nature of the film's struggles, despite its very specific setting. "It's tough when structure ends," he commented.

"You know, [it's] middle school, then high school, then college, then-no more structure. [You] can do whatever you want. It's almost weirdly paralyzing that you have so many options. Matt's so smart that he's talked himself out of doing anything really. [I say] just roll with it, let go and it's okay not to know. We set [the film] in the '80s, but it's a much more timeless issue. It might even be more timely now.