Read Positive User Reviews for The Night Before (2015)

9

NightReviewsFeb 3, 2016

(In carolling tone) Twas the night before Christmas and all was in order, then three childhood friends, with some drugs and some booze, brought much disorder.

Some of my favourite Christmas movies of all time range from scared and helpless(In carolling tone) Twas the night before Christmas and all was in order, then three childhood friends, with some drugs and some booze, brought much disorder.

Some of my favourite Christmas movies of all time range from scared and helpless little boys stuck in the big apple, to a grown-up elf stuck in the big city, to an under appreciative working man looking back at the good in his life and the world as a whole. Christmas is always a joyous, overfilling and highly commercialized time of year with some redeeming life lessons mixed in for good measure. So it came to be a big surprise for me that, The Night Before, one of my new favourite Christmas movies of all time, brought something new to the holiday movie genre we have never seen before; narcotics, sex and a threesome bromance we haven’t seen this good since the early Apatow films.

TNB1

The premise is simple, the movie centers on three very different friends; Ethan, Isaac and Chris (played perfectly by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen and Anthony Mackie, respectively) who start a new boys night Christmas eve tradition after the tragic passing of Ethan’s parents by a drunk driver. What starts off as a simple tradition of getting drunk, egg drop soup, a visit to the Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree, and of course, like any good Rogen and company film, getting completely high and f*cked up, quickly turns into a search for the ultimate party. After a couple of years perfecting their Christmas shenanigans, the trio get wind of an epic and secretive Nutcracker Ball (think Great Gatsby-esque type shindig), that only happens by invite and to a very exclusive bunch. Unable to find the actual party for many years, the three give up and eventually mutually decide to end the tradition, seeing that Isaac is in the midst of having a baby and family, Chris and his high cost of success and fame as a football star, and all three moving on and getting too old.

One of the best aspects of The Night Before, much like the previous Rogen/Gordon-Levitt collaboration 50/50 is the film’s fantastic ability to be silly, wild and completely chaotic, yet maintain a very emotional and deep connection of friendship, love and a believable bromance between three highly unlikely and different people. New to the Rogen crew this time around is Anthony Mackie (you may know him as Falcon in the Marvel universe), a very talented and versatile actor, who gathers as many laughs as Rogen and Gordon-Levitt within all of his scenes.

Rogen, who is hysterical as always, uses his very apparent Jewish roots and heritage for the basis of his humor and the foundation of many laughs throughout. From foreshadowing a very symbolic crucifixion, to some hilarious blasphemous religious gags within or outside of the church, hilarious bar scenarios, and ultimately to one of my favourite dinner texting scene ever in a film, Rogen always brings the laughs to a maximum.

TNB

Gordon-Levitt, the cute and cuddly of the bunch, brings many nostalgic moments of friendship that really hold the emotional core of the film. Having recently suffered a break-up with his ex Diana (Lizzy Caplan), Ethan is easily the most lost of the bunch; roaming through dead end jobs (like serving hors d’oeuvres on Christmas eve dressed up as an elf), being an unheard musical talent and not doing much with it, to living alone while Chris grows professionally and Isaac as a father and husband, Ethan gains much of the holiday empathy we are so used to chucking around this time of year.

While The Night Before is surely an acquired taste for many, the movie aims for a mostly young demographic overall. My parents wouldn’t be the people I’d recommend the film to, especially given the very strong hints of marijuana flooding the theatre, The Night Before proves to be a perfect buddy holiday cinema-going experience from beginning to end.

Like any good Rogen and company film, the film is filled with unexpected and sometimes utterly perfect cameos and roles for some amazing actors, including Michael Shannon (Man of Steel), who plays Mr. Green, the boys’ drug dealer and whimsically mysterious entity; to Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street), who plays Rogen’s wife and drug supplier for the group, to Miley Cyrus who rings in a great cameo and fantastic little over-the top scene, to Mindy Kaling, Jason Jones, Jason Mantzoukas, Randall Park (The Interview) and Tracy Morgan after his very public and publicized car accident.

TNB0

As we grow older and stressed, Christmas is never really our thing, whether or not we believe in the holiday at all. Between the commercial onslaughts, to the joyous overkill, the holidays become more of a dreaded family melodrama more than anything. Thankfully, The Night Before is a perfect way to counteract all your holidays blues, while still staying in the Christmas spirit.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

7

dekemoviegeekDec 26, 2015

The standard for over-the top gross out comedy is the payoff worth the defilement? For example: after seeing a mail-it-in Sandler-esque movie, one simply feels violated (especially in the pocketbook and timebank; ie: could have scheduled aThe standard for over-the top gross out comedy is the payoff worth the defilement? For example: after seeing a mail-it-in Sandler-esque movie, one simply feels violated (especially in the pocketbook and timebank; ie: could have scheduled a colonoscopy instead.) In this uneven but hilarious romp, Seth Rogen rants & steals his way to some of the all time classic scenes, that places his performance and the movie's other shenanigans amongst the all-time Bad Santa-like class(less) holiday staples.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

9

smiyamotApr 10, 2016

Not your typical Christmas movie, but what a howl. Along the lines of "Bad Santa" it's irreverent. But I need some contrast to the usual Christmas movies (Scrooge, 34th Street, etc.) And as usual, putting the 3 amigos (Gordon-Levitt,Not your typical Christmas movie, but what a howl. Along the lines of "Bad Santa" it's irreverent. But I need some contrast to the usual Christmas movies (Scrooge, 34th Street, etc.) And as usual, putting the 3 amigos (Gordon-Levitt, Rogan, and Franco) together makes for a raunchy, joke filled, sexual innuendo packed movie. And the supporting actors play it straight, like it's a real Christmas movie, which makes it even funnier. Don't know why everyone gave it such low ratings, or maybe I'm weird.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

7

ydnar4Nov 20, 2015

The Night Before was one of the films I was the most excited about for late in 2015. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen reunite with Jonathan Levine, the director of 50/50 which was an excellent film. Levitt stars in the second of threeThe Night Before was one of the films I was the most excited about for late in 2015. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen reunite with Jonathan Levine, the director of 50/50 which was an excellent film. Levitt stars in the second of three films to be released this year as he has been working hard and expanding his acting range with dramatic performances in The Walk and Snowden later this year.

The writing for The Night Before was better than I thought it would be and there is some emotional parts in the movie and you never really feel like this movie solely exists to make you laugh. You can connect with the three friends in Rogen, Levitt and Mackie all of which have their own struggles in life that they have to deal with throughout the night. There is also a character Mr. Green, played by Michael Shannon, that has some significance that you would never notice at the start of the film, but his role in the film becomes more and more noticeable as the film goes on and in the end you get a very interesting reveal.

The thing that brought The Night Before down a little was the humour. There were several scenes in the film that were really, really funny but it was not consistently funny like Neighbours was last year. I’m sure that there will be people that will find this movie to be one of the funniest this year but to me some of the humour just didn’t catch. There are some cool cameos to watch for that are pretty funny though and that makes the film even more enjoyable.

All together I enjoyed the Night Before and although it may not be considered a “classic” holiday comedy I can see myself watching this one over again at Christmas time in the future.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

7

AlmostearlyNov 20, 2015

This movie offered a lot of laughs and you can't help but cheer on to hear the next joke. The Night Before is not Seth Rogens best, but it's still a good time. It might not offer the best comedy this year, but it offers laughter to remember,This movie offered a lot of laughs and you can't help but cheer on to hear the next joke. The Night Before is not Seth Rogens best, but it's still a good time. It might not offer the best comedy this year, but it offers laughter to remember, and I think it's a good offensive type Christmas movie. This is a hate it or love it. And I liked it, It offers good laughs.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

All this user's reviews

7

L4DLegend91Nov 23, 2015

The purist goal for a comedy is to make the audience laugh, and it succeeds at doing that. It helps that each of the characters played by Gordon-Levitt, Rogen and Mackie are all likable characters, with problems that any average person couldThe purist goal for a comedy is to make the audience laugh, and it succeeds at doing that. It helps that each of the characters played by Gordon-Levitt, Rogen and Mackie are all likable characters, with problems that any average person could relate to. My only problem with the story is the lack of backstory for any character, even the main character. We get the jist of why he is the way he is, but there's another aspect that I feel was completely skipped over. Nonetheless, it's a funny movie with good spirit.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

8

NickLikesMoviesNov 23, 2015

"The Night Before" is a great theater experience with tons of laughs, heart, and holiday cheer. One of the best comedies of the year

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

9

TrilobiteGDec 12, 2015

I feel like this kind of movie shouldn't get such a high rating but nonetheless this film deserves it. Genuinely, this movie ticked all the boxes I look for in a Christmas film and spoof as well as a dramedie. The references to ChristmasI feel like this kind of movie shouldn't get such a high rating but nonetheless this film deserves it. Genuinely, this movie ticked all the boxes I look for in a Christmas film and spoof as well as a dramedie. The references to Christmas traditions blend in so well with overall dismissal of tradition so you can move on with your life is perfect, I guess a couple flaws may come from the fact that there were some conflicting elements in the abruptness being good and bad from Joseph Gordon Levitt's character, and the abusal of drug jokes (Seth Rogen....so it HAS to be included....). But Overall, the simplistic nature of the drama it proposed worked so well with the sweetness of the comedy. This comes close to elf as my favourite Christmas comedy of all time.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

8

moviemitch96Nov 24, 2015

Another constantly funny comedy from Seth Rogen and friends! Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie worked great together and there were plenty of unexpected cameos throughout to keep things interesting as well. The holiday settingAnother constantly funny comedy from Seth Rogen and friends! Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie worked great together and there were plenty of unexpected cameos throughout to keep things interesting as well. The holiday setting and atmosphere was also rather enjoyable. Overall, despite what I considered to be a few over-the-top moments, the film was consistently funny and even had a great heart to it! That's all that I wanted from this film and that's all that I got! I couldn't have asked for more!… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

All this user's reviews

8

Arikaen1984Nov 30, 2015

If you have ever seen anything with Seth Rogan you already know its about drugs, sex, and saying **** a lot. But it is still a funny and enjoyable movie. Not going to win any oscars but good for a few cheap laughs. Starting to worry that SethIf you have ever seen anything with Seth Rogan you already know its about drugs, sex, and saying **** a lot. But it is still a funny and enjoyable movie. Not going to win any oscars but good for a few cheap laughs. Starting to worry that Seth Rogan is going to eventually turn out to be like Adam Sandler where his audience will grow up but he won't But for now get a few cheap laughs and enjoy.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

8

tvnewsguidoNov 20, 2015

Not your typical drug-fueled urban fantasy.

I can't tell if my immense enjoyment of The Night Before comes from a glitch in my SRI meds or if it is actually a great comedy but I laughed all the way through. It's the most consistentlyNot your typical drug-fueled urban fantasy.

I can't tell if my immense enjoyment of The Night Before comes from a glitch in my SRI meds or if it is actually a great comedy but I laughed all the way through.

It's the most consistently funny entry in the Seth Rogen oeuvre in more than a few years and is surprisingly mature for the genre. That's not to say it's not loaded with sex, drugs and vomit ( it has all three) but there are layers of genuine emotion that play out as an almost Dickensian holiday fable.

If you're looking for some genuine laughs to offset the horror of your family this holiday season, this movie won't disappoint.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

All this user's reviews

8

TheQuietGamerDec 25, 2016

It's The Hangover for the holiday season. A raunchy Christmas movie with that Seth Rogen brand of comedy. Drugs, sex, and magical Christmas weed, The Night Before is stuffed with plenty of R-rated humor. All of it is funny.

Nobody is reallyIt's The Hangover for the holiday season. A raunchy Christmas movie with that Seth Rogen brand of comedy. Drugs, sex, and magical Christmas weed, The Night Before is stuffed with plenty of R-rated humor. All of it is funny.

Nobody is really given a chance to show off their acting skills. A big shame considering Joseph Gordon-Levitt is usually fantastic. Events move at a brisk pace. Yet it still manages to fit in morals of friendship, growing up, and the Christmas spirit in.

It's got plenty of laughs and great cameos. Seth Rogen is a laugh riot, playing a character that's high out of his mind throughout most of the movie. The Night Before is a great Christmas alternative if you're looking for more adult humor.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

7

BrianMcCriticMar 19, 2016

Jonathan Levine knows his way around comedies with heart in them. In The Night Before he definitely gets the comedy down, but the heart feels forced at times. While it is no 50/50 I still really enjoyed this film. B+