The Night Before
Combining the stoner humor of the Seth Rogen brand with the Christmas season seems like an odd pairing, but the combination works surprisingly well in The Night Before. Featuring three best friends (played by Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie), who go out for one last night on the town, the raunchy flick surprises not only with laughs, but an honest portrayal of friendship. Writer/director Jonathan Levine’s presence is very much felt, as the film gives more attention to its characters and their problems more than the average comedy. With this, the characters and their dynamics feel more fleshed out and genuine, making it easy to grow attached to them. Its themes of friendship, taking accountability to oneself and commitment ring quite true, with some small, yet effective dramatic moments. Comedy fans should still not fret, as the film brings the laughs in a big way with its trio’s great chemistry along with some truly fantastic cameos. For myself, it’s a modern Christmas classic. – Matt Conway
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