​FILMS

the night before

2015 review number 181:

The Night Before: (Comedy): 68 out of 100: If gross-out comedies are your thing then you should enjoy The Night Before. You know what you're in for when it features the king of stoner comedies in Seth Rogen and here he is on drugs for most of the film. It's rated MA for a reason so those who are easily offended should stay away. It is definitely not a subtle comedy; it's sight gags and crude jokes all the way.

 

As a young man, Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) loses his parents to a car crash and his best friends, Isaac (Seth Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie) vow that he will never be alone especially during Christmas time as they will always celebrate the festive season with him. Thirteen years later Ethan is the least successful of the three with a job as a coat attendant masquerading as an elf while Seth Rogen is married to Betsy (Jillian Bell) and expecting their first child. Meanwhile, Chris has become a successful American football player. This could be the last year they spend Christmas together due to priorities changing so they want it to be a special one where they can party in style at an exclusive event that is reserved for invitees only. Over the course of Christmas Eve, they find themselves in situations that will test their resolve and ultimately, their friendship.

 

Most of the performances are wacky and a reflection of this type of comedy. The three best friends played by Gordon-Levitt, Rogen and Mackie have a great rapport with each other and it looks like they had a ball filming their scenes together. Not all the scenes work however, with some unnecessary bantering between them reducing a few scenes to time fillers. When they get the humour spot on, you should experience quite a few laughs. There are also cameos to look out for from the likes of James Franco and Miley Cyrus playing themselves, and these performances help elevate the entertaining aspect of the movie. There's also the excellent Michael Shannon playing a drug dealer and again, he adds credibility to any movie he's in. You won't expect the twist that occurs with his character.

 

Adding to the fun of the whole movie is the filming on New York streets which means that it feels like you are part of the best friends' expedition for the night. You are lured into their company and become the fourth friend. Of course, you have to appreciate their type of humour otherwise you'll feel like abandoning them and spending Christmas Eve on your own or with others who are more sensible than them.

 

This is a different type of Christmas film that is definitely not for the whole family. However, if you want to experience something that is not your typical, standard Christmas fare, head along to the cinema and be prepared for an onslaught of sexual references and drug use, all done in a crazy, madcap way. Even if these types of comedies don't appeal to you, there's enough to keep you interested for at least half of the film. It does help if you have a lewd, rude and crude sense of humour. 

 

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie and Michael Shannon

(101 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, nudity, sex scenes, sexual references, drug use, violence and adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOBdxkhJvHQ (Movie trailer)

 

(Reviewed on Monday 30th November, 2015)

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