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DokBrowne [ 7.5 ]
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In the pantheon of Seth Rogen movies – the one's defined by his particular (dare we say "auteur") voice, so excluding ones like "Steve Jobs", "Take This Waltz", "Observe & Report", the "Kung Fu Panda"s, even "Funny People" doesn't really count despite all the connections - this is a stalwart yet middle-ranking affair. It covers all the Rogen-brand territory – bromance, frank sex banter, some Jew gags, extended riffing sessions, a long bench of quality actors and relevant comedians as well as a token pop star cameo, hip-hop drug trip montages, James Franco – but here's why it doesn't fly as high as its brethren: not as insanely novel as "The Interview" or "This is the End", not as many huge consistent laughs as "Superbad", "Pineapple Express", or "Neighbors", and just not as all-around great as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" or "Knocked Up". It's better than "The Green Hornet", though, and about equal to "50/50" and "Zack and Miri Make a Porno", a couple other movies he was in that resemble products he wrote, but aren't. Not that he has the magic touch as a screenwriter; just something I noticed. Anyway, I think the problem might be twofold:
1) director Jonathan Levine is not the best shepherd for this material. He gets it done adequately, and some might like the somewhat grittier look and abundance of Janusz Kaminski-esque ethereal backlighting he elicits with perennial Rogen cinematographer Brandon Trost (I myself find it distracting and kind of unpleasant, but I acknowledge the effect it has), but most of the other directors Rogen works with (including himself and partner Evan Goldberg) are better at making their movies pop visually and flow more gracefully. Aside from looking kinda ugly, "The Night Before" suffers from some counterintuitive blocking and choppy editing.
2) the Seth Rogen factory is playing it a bit too safe nowadays. This stuff, while still funny, isn't as fresh as it was 10 years ago, or still was even a year or two ago. Even the sweet undercurrents about friendship are showing some strain – this one seems like it's built on potent character detail (a group of guys with an annual Christmas hang-out pact have finally outgrown the ritual and are trying to move on), but it's basically just a thirtysomething's riff on "Superbad". And sure, everyone from Kurosawa to Spielberg, Tarantino to Wes Anderson, have made great careers out of re-working pet themes, but even Rogen's mentor Judd Apatow found effective ways to evolve and complicate, not just recycle, his lifelong coming-of-age hang-ups. Levine, Evan Goldberg, and the other screenwriters don't have much to say about this topic, relying more on the poignancy it stirs than any new insight or even variations on how it will play out (this one actually has a happier, easier ending than the less-maturely-conceived "Superbad" did 8 years ago; not necessarily a bad thing, but another hint of stagnation).
It sucks to disparage a fun, spirited movie like this, though, so suffice it to say, those are merely criticisms about why this isn't on par with past Seth Rogen vehicles (of which I am a huge fan). Again, it's comparable to "50/50" – solid, but lacking a certain grace and depth. Though performed very well and as likable as can be, both films at their cores kinda feel like they're phoning it in creatively. Like this is the best you could do with such a readymade premise and eager cast? It's good, but you expected it to hit you harder.
Anyway, whatever, nitpicking aside, this has a lot of laughs, a kickass ensemble (of whom Joseph Gordon-Levitt in all his heart-melting earnestness and Michael Shannon as a cosmic stoner are the highlights), some delightful cameos (Mantzoukas!), and a warm, benevolent Christmas glow. In other words, it's a welcome addition to the "What Movies are Worth Re-Watching Every Holiday Season" consortium.
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| Weighted Rating | : 6.6 |
| No. Ratings | : 2 | |
| No. Reviews | : 1 | |
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