When one thinks of the phrase, “the night before,” they usually imagine Christmas lists being placed on the fireplaces, sleepy children dreaming of magic and gumdrops, and Santa riding around the world in his open sleigh. However, the new holiday comedy, "The Night Before," starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie may make you think of this term in a whole new light.
The three actors play a group of childhood friends who for the past 14 years have spent every Christmas together following the death of Gordon-Levitt’s character, Ethan’s, parents. However now times have changed with Mackie’s character, Chris, becoming a famous football player and Rogen’s character, Isaac, becoming a father. They decide it best to leave their traditions behind and spend their Christmases apart, but not without a final bang. With invitations to the hottest Christmas party in NYC and blessings from Isaac’s wife, the three set out to enjoy the night before.
They run into tons of trouble parading around the city getting into car chases, fights with Santa Clauses and public displays of humiliation in churches of all places. Oh, and there’s also a great karaoke rendition featuring Ethan and Miley Cyrus, herself, singing her single “Wrecking Ball.”
Between the acts of debauchery, there are also some touching moments shared between friends who are scared to let go of their pasts and continue on with their futures unknown. They realize that, although their traditions may be changing, their bond never will and that’s all that matters. You can laugh along with this band of funny guys when the film hits theaters just in time for the holidays on Nov. 20.
