Movie Review: ‘The Night Before’ is an uneven mixture of naughty and nice

MOVIE REVIEW: “THE NIGHT BEFORE” (R)

Good intentions aside, “Love the Coopers” came up way short of Christmas classic status. For those hoping “The Night Before” would rise to the challenge and emerge as a new cinematic Christmas tradition for years to come, not to crush your hopes and dreams, but you’re bound to be disappointed.

In “The Night Before,” high school buddies Ethan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Isaac (Seth Rogen), and Chris (Anthony Mackie) reunite as adults for their traditional raucous, night-on-the-town Christmas Eve get-together in search of the ultimate holiday party. During their episodic adventure in the big city, all sorts of mischief ensues.

With its irreverent sense of humor and central tale of friends who’d do just about anything for one another, “The Night Before” plays a bit like “A Superbad Christmas,” but unfortunately, too often this picture falls flat. It isn’t nearly as consistent as “Superbad.”

Certainly, Levitt, Mackie, and Rogen put forth a valiant effort. These actors do have terrific on-screen chemistry. Of the trio, it’s Ethan’s story that’s the most emotionally charged. As a 33-year old who continues to let a tragedy from 12 years earlier define him, Levitt is pretty good, and his grief is perfectly understandable. If only his on-again/ off-again relationship with girlfriend Diana (played by Lizzy Caplan) were half as interesting.

Rogen gives the broadest turn in the film. His Isaac is nervous about his upcoming role as a father, but lucky for him, he has the most supportive wife on the planet. Not only does Betsy (wonderfully played by Jillian Bell) demand that Isaac continue a proud tradition with his buddies, but she even provides him with a drug-filled care package so his evening will be more eventful.

Mackie has the least interesting dynamic of the three leads. His Chris was once a troubled high schooler, but through the power of his friendship with Ethan and Isaac, he’s made something of himself. Despite his emergence as a reputable football player, Chris struggles with acceptance issues. What this character lacks in real depth, Mackie more than makes up for in sheer likability. Seriously, this terrific actor has charisma to spare, and it’s nice to see him show his comedic side. It should also be noted that he’s given far more to do here than in “Love the Coopers.”

The real standouts in “The Night Before” are the bit players. Again, Bell is terrific as Isaac’s understanding wife, Betsy. She brings real warmth and sweetness to the role. Also killing it in a supporting turn is a generally intense Michael Shannon. As a spaced-out pot dealer, Shannon wisely plays it straight, and that makes his all-too-brief scenes all the funnier.

“The Night Before” reunites  “50/50” collaborators Levitt, Rogen, and director Jonathan Levine, and while this movie is unable to reach the soaring emotional heights of that exceptional dramedy, it should be noted that “The Night Before” doesn’t have such hefty ambitions.

The team behind this very “R” rated comedy are clearly paying homage to the popular contemporary holiday movies that have moved them through the years. “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Polar Express,” “Christmas Vacation,” “Bad Santa,” etc. All your favorites are well represented. There’s even a little ode to “Big” thrown in for good measure.

“The Night Before” certainly offers up moments that work. A Polar Express ride to party central is highly amusing, as is a limo action sequence and a spirited dinner with Chris’ mother.

Other moments will no doubt be misunderstood, including a doozy in which a drugged-out Isaac makes some mean-spirited remarks at the expense of his unborn child, remarks that are given a new perspective when heard through the ears of the most understanding wife in the universe.

For all its surprising warmth and Christmas cheer—as filtered through an irreverent, drug-filled haze—”The Night Before” is a little too sloppy and carefree to work as a whole. It’s also lacks the truly monumental big laughs that make up the DNA of Rogen and crew’s funniest scripts (see “This is the End”). Instead “The Night Before” is perfectly content indulging in a lot of predictable gags, a dumb “Grinch” subplot, and a boring climax featuring an indulgent pop star.

A game cast and a handful of funny moments keep “The Night Before” from being a complete waste of time, but this is more in the league of the overrated “Neighbors” than the realm of “Superbad.” The wait for a new Christmas classic continues.