Review of The Night Before (2015) by Ed F — 23 Nov 2015

Here is yet another 2015 gem. There wasn't a ton of marketing for this movie, so it kind of snuck up on me, but it is quite the Christmas comedy. You have one of the top comedic geniuses of this generation in Seth Rogen, one of the most underrated character actors turned lead actor in Anthony Mackie, and of course, Joseph Gordon Levitt, it's quite the trio. So perhaps I shouldn't be surprised all of them worked so well together on screen. I was surprised however just how funny this movie was.

We know Rogen can be funny. Pineapple Express is one of my all time favorite comedies, Superbad is a classic, and he was even great in a dramatic turn in Steve Jobs this year. But I don't think Rogen has ever been as funny as he is in The Night Before. He does his usual stoner gag, but it works so well up against two actors in Levitt and Mackie who are for the most part, the straight men in the film. The trio have a great balance of knowing when to hit hard on a big joke and when to pull back and give it a much more grounded scene. With that said, I think the film's few weaknesses are within those somewhat dramatic sequences. The Night Before can be extremely goofy and so when it then tries to be 500 Days of Summer with JGL, it falls short.

It's still one of, if not my favorite comedy of 2015. I really bought into the groups bond as they go through their version of the ghosts of past, present, and future with the surprisingly funny Michael Shannon character, who steals every scene he's in. It's also a very re-watchable movie, and one that I can see myself revisiting every few Christmases.

So in all, I have to commend the film for trying to add some dramatic flavor to an already hilariously packed Christmas film, but it's strengths are what get you to the theater. Rogen has never been funnier, JGL gives a balanced performance, and Mackie has plenty of time to shine. There are also quite a few fantastic cameos, some expected, some unexpected. But by far the best thing to take away from The Night Before is that it's a comedy actually filled with comedic moments, take notes studios.

+Rogen at his absolute funniest.

+Chemistry between the 3.

+Great cameos.

+Re-watchable.

-Some dramatic moments reach a bit and fall short.

8.6/10.