When I heard that Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were teaming up for a holiday movie, my first thought was, I have to go see it! Even better news, the release date was moved up five whole days to Friday, Nov. 20.
“The Night Before” is about three best friends who have an annual tradition of going out on Christmas Eve. However, this year Ethan (Gordon-Levitt) is going to be a father so this will be his last Christmas Eve to celebrate with his two best friends, Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Anthony Mackie).
The movie opens with a scene of Ethan at his parents burial in 2001. Then, it fast forwards several years to the present day.
Isaac is now married to Betsy (Jillian Bell) and Chris is a famous athlete. Betsy gave the pals a cornucopia of drugs on Christmas Eve so they can have one last hurrah together.
Ethan, Isaac and Chris proceed to do very stupid things. They get high on drugs, puke inside a church, lose their phone and end up sexting. I’m told this is the movie with the most dick jokes ever. Who would have thought?
This film had several references to “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” In several ways, the three friends were running around New York City from one party to the next. There were familiar scenes such as Rockefeller Center and the floor piano inside FAO Schwarz used in this movie as well. Also, Chris lost his weed and ended up in a chase with a woman who dropped toy cars on the ground causing him to slip and fall.
Miley Cyrus also makes a cameo appearance in this film. She performs her hit single “Wrecking Ball” at the Nutcracka Ball epic party at the end.
Will Isaac make it to see his wife going into labor? You’ll have to see the movie yourself to find out.
“The Night Before” comes with an R rating, so nobody under the age of 18 will be allowed in without a parent or guardian. It is 101 minutes long, or one hour and 41 minutes.
I would recommend this film for college students and those in their 30’s. I think that older adults would say it’s inappropriate and not that funny. Make it a date and go see “The Night Before.” Until Christmas, that is.
Look for “The Night Before” in theaters everywhere on Friday, November 20, 2015.
