Review: THE NIGHT BEFORE is All-Time Christmas Comedy Classic

Move over CHRISTMAS VACATION, step aside HOME ALONE, we just might have a new Christmas comedy classic in our midst. THE NIGHT BEFORE, directed by Jonathan Levine, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie is side-splittingly funny, and has just enough sentimentality to warm your heart during the holidays.

Since his parents died on Christmas Eve when he was in college, Ethan (Gordon-Levitt) and his best friends Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Mackie) have spent every Christmas Eve together for 14 years. However, now that Isaac is about to become a father, and Chris is an NFL superstar, the tradition is coming to an end. So, the trio sets out to find the Holy Grail of Christmas parties, the illusive Nutcracker Ball, one last time.

The three friends, decked out in awful holiday sweaters, revisit their annual traditions one last time; Rockefeller Center, karaoking to Run DMC, dueting on the giant toy store piano. Along the way, they run into Ethan's ex, Diana (Lizzy Caplan), and her friend, Sarah (Mindy Kaling). The loss of his parents has made it nearly impossible for Ethan to commit, even though he is still very much in love with Diana.

On the road to the Nutcracker Ball, the guys hit a number of hilarious detours, many brought on the by the box of Craigslist drugs that Isaac's wife Betsy (Jillian Bell) gave him as a present for being her rock during the pregnancy. Needless to say for a Rogen produced film, not only is the movie packed with hysterical cameos, but there is also plenty of profanity, drug use, and alcohol.

While I won't spoil some of the most fun cameos, two supporting characters nearly steal the entire film. Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, who returns to Broadway in April's revival of LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, plays the mystical drug dealer Mr. Green. As enigmatic as Shannon is in interviews, Mr. Green is even more off of his rocker; dispensing strung-out wisdom (as well as specifically powerful marijuana) from his beat-up jalopy.

Also, BROAD CITY's Ilana Glazer is Rebecca, a humbug of the highest order that frustrates, and also titillates, Chris. If screenwriters Levine, Evan Goldberg, Kyle Hunter, and Ariel Shaffir need an idea for their next project, how about an entire film following Rebecca as she wreaks havoc on unsuspecting holiday revelers.

Between the night's ups and downs, the lessons gleaned from the well-timed cameos, and the hallucinations brought on by the copious amounts of drugs, everyone is able to figure out what it is that means the most to them; almost as if they had their own Christmas Ghosts watching out for them all along.

Broadway fans, also keep an eye out for Heléne Yorke. The Broadway alum, and Caplan's MASTERS OF SEX co-star, plays Betsy's sister, Cindy. Like Shannon, Yorke will be back on the boards in April, as she was recently announced as part of the original Broadway cast of AMERICAN PSYCHO.

Is THE NIGHT BEFORE going to knock IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE or THE MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET off of their perches as the most beloved holiday films of all time? Absolutely not, but it might just be the new go-to film for moms and dads to turn on after the children are nestled all snug in their beds.

THE NIGHT BEFORE is now open nationwide, so if the bustle of the holiday season gets you down, this is the movie to cheer you up and to get you in the spirit; just don't take the kids.

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Watch the UNRATED Red Band Trailer:

THE NIGHT BEFORE, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anthony Mackie, Lizzy Caplan, Jillian Bell, Michael Shannon, Mindy Kaling, and more, is rated R for for drug use and language throughout, some strong sexual content, and graphic nudity.

Is THE NIGHT BEFORE now at the top of your Christmas Movie List? Let me know in the comments below, or on Twitter @BWWMatt. If you want to follow along with my "366 in 366" articles, you can check out #BWW366in366 on Twitter. Also, make sure to follow @BWWMoviesWorld on Twitter for all of the biggest news from the world of movies.

Banner Image and Video Credit: Columbia Pictures

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