The Night Before - directed by Jonathan Levine
Starring: Seth Rogan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Michael Shannon, Jillian Bell, Tracy Morgan, James Franco, Jason Mantzoukas, Mindy Kaling, Miley Cyrus, Ilana Glazer, Helene Yorke, Nathan Fielder
Running Time: 101 minutes
Rated: R16 - Drug use, sex and profanity
All that you need to know about this movie is right there on the poster.
It's Seth Rogen and his mates in a stoner flick set around Christmas.
Either that appeals to you or it doesn't and either way a review neither positive nor negative will change your mind.
Nor should it.
A friend told me that if you like "Pineapple Express" you'll like this movie and he is spot on.
The thing for me is that I like "Pineapple Express" a bit - just not a lot.
I actually like "The Night Before" quite a bit more and the reasons for that too are right there on the poster.
"The Night Before" re-unites Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt- a coupling that proved to be a winner in the underrated "50/50".
Like that movie this one is all about friendship.
Gordon-Levitt's character Ethan loses his parents to a drunk driver and is helped through each Christmas that follows by his friends Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie).
They have a yearly ritual that will see them drink and act like idiots.
One year they hear of a mythical invite only party and on the night of their last Christmas revelry night before Isaac becomes a Father Ethan obtains three tickets.
You know what you are in for of course and it isn't long before the trio are drunk, high and acting like idiots.
There is the added complication of famous footballer Chris's performance enhancing drug use and the failed relationship between Ethan and Diana (Lizzy Caplan)
But with the introduction of the mysterious dope dealer Mr Green played by a scene stealing Michael Shannon the story adds in an element inspired by a classic Christmas tale.
I won't say what one but I will say that it works very well.
Also working well is the chemistry between the three leads.
Mackie is a boon to any movie he appears in and so it is here.
Most of the laughs come courtesy of Isaac's drug use but arguably Mackie gets the single biggest laugh courtesy of an hilarious bathroom tryst.
Mind you close behind is Rogen's own bathroom bad trip sequence.
Mackie, Rogen and Gordon-Levitt are a great match and are totally believable as lifelong friends but with the addition of Lizzy Caplan, James Franco and some surprise cameo's from Jason Mantzoukas and a very effective Miley Cyrus this movie is loaded with great moments of humour.
The love subplot doesn't really work and there are some peripheral things like Isaac's repressed fear of becoming a Father that are less than convincing but the central message that there is nothing more valuable than good friends is handled very well.
And then there is Michael Shannon.
Shannon has received strong critical word for a host of great performances over the last few years but who knew that he could play comedy this well?
He appears at regular intervals and every time he opens his mouth something crazy and very funny is bound to happen.
He plays it totally straight, deadly serious and quite weird and he is for me the standout of the film.
This is also a good movie for fans of movie references with an abundance of quotes and nods to the likes of "Die Hard" and "Home Alone" - two of the better Christmas movies of course.
I cannot think of a better endorsement than to say that like those films "The Night Before" could easily be one of those films that you chuck in the player around Christmas.
I imagine that it will get better and better with each viewing.
This is the sort of movie that works if you are in the mood for it.
It is stupid but smart about it.
Yes, Rogen plays the same loveable idiot that he always plays and Gordon-Levitt has played the exact same role at least half a dozen times before also but it works.
With a very funny narration from Tracy Morgan and the always welcome presence of the hilarious and uniquely gorgeous Lizzy Caplan I liked this movie a lot.
The script is far more clever than most of its ilk and it runs for just the right amount of time.
RATING: 78/ 100
CONCLUSION: A well intentioned and kind of sweet comedy that delivers plenty of laughs and offers a nice alternative to the usual kid-friendly Christmas flicks on offer this time of year.
Running Time: 101 minutes
Rated: R16 - Drug use, sex and profanity
All that you need to know about this movie is right there on the poster.
It's Seth Rogen and his mates in a stoner flick set around Christmas.
Either that appeals to you or it doesn't and either way a review neither positive nor negative will change your mind.
Nor should it.
A friend told me that if you like "Pineapple Express" you'll like this movie and he is spot on.
The thing for me is that I like "Pineapple Express" a bit - just not a lot.
I actually like "The Night Before" quite a bit more and the reasons for that too are right there on the poster.
"The Night Before" re-unites Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt- a coupling that proved to be a winner in the underrated "50/50".
Like that movie this one is all about friendship.
Gordon-Levitt's character Ethan loses his parents to a drunk driver and is helped through each Christmas that follows by his friends Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie).
They have a yearly ritual that will see them drink and act like idiots.
One year they hear of a mythical invite only party and on the night of their last Christmas revelry night before Isaac becomes a Father Ethan obtains three tickets.
You know what you are in for of course and it isn't long before the trio are drunk, high and acting like idiots.
There is the added complication of famous footballer Chris's performance enhancing drug use and the failed relationship between Ethan and Diana (Lizzy Caplan)
But with the introduction of the mysterious dope dealer Mr Green played by a scene stealing Michael Shannon the story adds in an element inspired by a classic Christmas tale.
I won't say what one but I will say that it works very well.
Also working well is the chemistry between the three leads.
Mackie is a boon to any movie he appears in and so it is here.
Most of the laughs come courtesy of Isaac's drug use but arguably Mackie gets the single biggest laugh courtesy of an hilarious bathroom tryst.
Mind you close behind is Rogen's own bathroom bad trip sequence.
Mackie, Rogen and Gordon-Levitt are a great match and are totally believable as lifelong friends but with the addition of Lizzy Caplan, James Franco and some surprise cameo's from Jason Mantzoukas and a very effective Miley Cyrus this movie is loaded with great moments of humour.
The love subplot doesn't really work and there are some peripheral things like Isaac's repressed fear of becoming a Father that are less than convincing but the central message that there is nothing more valuable than good friends is handled very well.
And then there is Michael Shannon.
Shannon has received strong critical word for a host of great performances over the last few years but who knew that he could play comedy this well?
He appears at regular intervals and every time he opens his mouth something crazy and very funny is bound to happen.
He plays it totally straight, deadly serious and quite weird and he is for me the standout of the film.
This is also a good movie for fans of movie references with an abundance of quotes and nods to the likes of "Die Hard" and "Home Alone" - two of the better Christmas movies of course.
I cannot think of a better endorsement than to say that like those films "The Night Before" could easily be one of those films that you chuck in the player around Christmas.
I imagine that it will get better and better with each viewing.
This is the sort of movie that works if you are in the mood for it.
It is stupid but smart about it.
Yes, Rogen plays the same loveable idiot that he always plays and Gordon-Levitt has played the exact same role at least half a dozen times before also but it works.
With a very funny narration from Tracy Morgan and the always welcome presence of the hilarious and uniquely gorgeous Lizzy Caplan I liked this movie a lot.
The script is far more clever than most of its ilk and it runs for just the right amount of time.
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