Game Night (Review)
Go See Game Night. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200.
I have to admit that Game Night is exactly what I needed in theaters right now. The start of the year is always a bit slow for quality films, even though February has provided us some exceptional movies like Annihilation and Black Panther. However, there hasn’t been a solid comedy film in theaters for quite some time. Luckily Game Night packs plenty of laughs and is the funniest movie I’ve seen since Thor: Ragnarok.
Jason Bateman movies are always a bit hit or miss since it seems like he’s the go-to when it comes to casting an average Joe these days. Needless to say, he isn’t necessarily a selling point for me when it comes to deciding what I’m looking forward to. I have to say though, it is perfect in the role as the ultra-competitive Max, but that probably because he had such mind-blowing chemistry with his co-star Rachel McAdams. The two play a game night power couple who refuse to lose (but not in an obnoxious way), and I have to say they are my new #RelationshipGoals. Both of them are absolutely hilarious, but I have to say they really shine when Bateman plays the straight man to McAdams goofball.
As wonderful as they are (and the rest of the leads), the true star of Game Night is Jesse Plemons. I had no idea that he was capable of being so funny, especially since the last time we saw him he was playing a straight-faced lawyer in The Post. He is perfect though in Game Night as the awkward, boarding on creepy, neighbor Bateman and McAdams try to avoid at all costs. I couldn’t help cracking up at every scene he appeared in. Especially since a lot of his time on camera is spent refusing to break eye contact and making sure everyone feels incredibly awkward just being in his vicinity. What can I say? The man is just great when it comes to making people uncomfortable. Honestly, after Game Night I am going to declare myself a fan of his and can’t wait to see what he gives us next.
Game Night thrives because of the vision co-directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein. They have enough sense to take things far enough without beating comedy tropes to death. For example, there’s plenty of times the characters act ridiculous enough where there’s a risk of second-hand shame, but it’s cut by other characters acknowledging just how awkward the characters are being. The same goes for several incredible shots that seem like they belong in legitimate action films. It’s clear that these writers turned directors not only have a keen sense of humor but a firm understanding of the theories and elements that work in comedy.
To be perfectly honest, Game Night is a comedy of errors. It’s built upon the premise that everything continues to go wrong while the characters have no idea the risks they’re facing. That is a perfect turning point where all three couples stumble upon the truth simultaneously from different sources. From there it’s a race against time as these friends refuse to give up on each other. It would have been heartwarming if my sides didn’t ache so much from laughing. Still, all of the characters get their moment in the spotlight where they manage to form endearing bonds with the audience. It would be hard to pick a favorite among them, then again I did just rave about Jesse Plemons…
For my money, Game Night is a perfect date night movie (unlike that travesty Fifty Shades Freed). It’s a movie that not is not only funny, but well written, with well-rounded characters, and enough action to keep you invested in what happens next. Sure, none of it makes sense if you stop and think about it, but the directors manage to keep you from that with plenty of laughs and cameos (such as Michael C. Hall, Jeffery Wright, Chelsea Peretti, and many more).
If you’re looking for a bit a good movie to cleanse your cinematic pallet after so many serious movies in 2018. I think you’ll find Game Night to be perfectly refreshing. It’s a movie that works on a lot of different levels and manages to be funny on all of them. Overall, I found it to be a delightful movie and wholeheartedly recommend it.
