Sexo, Drogas e Jingle Bells

This film tells the story of three friends who finally gets the tickets to go to the most epic Christmas party of all time.

"The Night Before" is a silly, drug fuelled journey that lasts for one evening. There are loads of eye rolling moments that are meant to be funny, but ends up frustrating me. It's tiring to see adults acting irresponsibly and recklessly as if consequences do not matter. The only redeeming part of the film is the extended cameo with James Franco. That part is funny and saves the film a bit. Overall, I think the film is not so entertaining, as it's too brainless and unfunny. Maybe I'll have to be in the right state of mind to enjoy it.

My wife and I go to all types of movies, from independent films like Far From the Madding Crowd (good) to films like Trainwreck (excellent), Spectre (only average), to low brow movies like Horrible Bosses (excellent) and We're The Millers (very good). They all look like masterpieces when compared to The Night Before.

There is no real plot here, just three guys trying to enjoy a night out (Christmas Eve) on the town. I like Seth Rogen but he is awful here. There are several gross out scenes for cheap laughs (I may have laughed twice in the whole movie), and a supporting cast that is completely wasted. Lizzy Caplan who is so fabulous in Masters of Sex is completely misused here (must have needed a new patio).

I assumed that with a Metecritic score of 58 and the Washington Post reviewer giving it 2.5 stars the movie wouldn't be horrible, and even if it had no redeeming value it would be good for a number of laughs. I was so wrong.

I'm temped to go see the other new Christmas movie, Love the Coopers, which has a Metacritic score of 29. Could it really be worse than this movie?

Don't waste your time on this movie (time you'll never get back). Go see Brooklyn (good) or Spotlight (very good) or The Intern (excellent). They are all time well spent.

Good fun, this - it's a fairly uninspired premise overall, but the dialogue and performances are so strong it almost brings it to a realm of its own.

Not funny or clever enough to be an 8, but too entertaining & powerful and understated (particularly now, in 2024 when everything is heavy handed to the point of childish) to be a 6 - as Christmas films go, it's really good. As far As films in general, it's very average and probably not massively re watchable on its own cinematic merits.

That being said, I wish there were more Christmas movies of this ilk, properly for adults with heart without resorting to heavy-handed schmaltz, and a bit sweary - I guess the reviews here indicate the audience for them isn't as vast as I'd like to think (same for the brilliantly original Violent Night), but I for one would love to see a film made soon which leans into the adult energy as wholesale as this does. Too many 'adult' Christmas films lately are trying too hard to please everyone. The Night Before is refreshing and increasingly a festive staple for me, year on year.

Recommend.

This is one of those fun movies that you forget about for 11 months of the year and then when you are scrolling through looking for a movie over Christmas and sure enough, you watch it and love it all over again.

There are plot holes in this, but don't think too hard, just enjoy it. It is a sweet premise for a movie of friends helping friends and holding up a tradition. Seth Rogan high on every drug under the sun is always fun to watch.

But the highlight of this movie is Michael Shannon. His weird creepy intense vibe works so well in this and I can't stop laughing every time he is on screen.

Can't understand people watching this moving looking for the next mircle on 34th Street....if you watch this for what it is...you will find it hits all the right numbers. References to other Christmas classics throughout, celebrities poking fun at themselves, and just general bafoonary throughout. Rogan out does himself over acting his drug trip and its ups and downs. Great movie. (Horrible 'film'...but great movie)