From the makers of HORRIBLE BOSSES…but don’t let that put you off.
When I first heard about the central premise of Game Night, I was admittedly intrigued, mainly thanks to the strengths of the film’s stars and the overall nature of the plot. Yet when I heard that the entire venture was being helmed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, any hopes for a good time at the movies swiftly vanished. Between the most recent Vacation, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and the Horrible Bosses series, the pair had been responsible for a number of thoroughly un-entertaining times had by your’s truly in a darkened theater. After seeing their latest movie, I am astounded at how with one film, the two have managed to completely undo all my memories of their past juvenile and half-baked efforts to make a complete 180 by giving audiences what will surely be one of the most hilarious films of the year.
Game Night centers on Max (Jason Bateman) and Annie (Rachel McAdams); a happily-married middle-class couple with a serious penchant for games. Along with their friends, (Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury) the couple enjoys a weekly game night at their house; a fact which must be kept secret from downer cop neighbor Gary (Jesse Plemons). When Max’s mega-successful brother Brooks (Kyle Chandler) comes to town announcing he wants to host a game night, the competitive Max reluctantly agrees. However it turns out Max’s game of choice is a real-time murder mystery complete with actors and a prize car for the winner at the end of the night. Yet when some of Brooks’s business rivals turn the game into something very real by kidnapping him, it plunges the entire group into one dangerous adventure after another.
One of the things which makes Game Night such a treasure trove of comedy, is that virtually every kind of humor is represented from word play to slapstick, much to the delight of both genre fans and general audiences. Yet it’s the way the movie realizes its dark comedy potential, which makes it a standout. Daley and Goldstein are never once cautious or afraid to put their lovable characters into some dangerous situations, no matter how injured they’ll limp away from it. The most hilarious of these moments features Annie trying to extract a bullet from Max’s forearm using tools bought from a convenience store including a bottle of chardonnay (in place of rubbing alcohol), a squeaky toy for Max to bite on (hilariously executed) and an issue of country living with a chowder recipe Annie plans to use later. After cutting a deeper incision than was intended or necessary, the pair taking turns dry heaving before discovering the exit wound on the other side of Max’s arm.
Darkness aside, Game Night also hones in on moments of comedic awkwardness whenever it can; particularly in the scenes involving the depressed and divorced Gary. Once a game night regular thanks to his ex-wife’s friendship with Max and Annie, Gary now looms over the couple, with dog in arms and full of constant reminders of his marital status. After Max and Annie turn down an invite to his house for dinner where he will be making one of his ex’s recipes, Gary subtly lays on the guilt. “I thought she left her recipe box as a final sentimental gesture. I see now it was just an unintentional oversight,” he states just as his dog licks him.
Working very much in Game Night’s favor is the movie’s structure. While the runtime is roughly 100 minutes, the pace, flow and overall energy sustained makes the whole exercise feel like a never ending rollercoaster. This is a movie having so much fun with its premise and characters, it’s perfectly content to keep on going, making sure every comedic opportunity is capitalized on. The danger of this would of course be overstaying one’s welcome and while a number of the film’s setups are easily spotted from a distance, the execution of them feels totally refreshing. A good example is the scene in which Magnussen’s Ryan is seen trying to bribe an murder mystery game employee into giving him and his date (Sharon Horgan) the final clue. After he is unable to wow her with the promise of first a $10, then a $5 and finally two $1 bills, a frustrated Horgan exclaims: “Just give her $100!” Instantly Ryan gets embarrassed as he whispers: “I only brought $17.”
Performances don’t count as much as chemistry in a film like Game Night, and thankfully each of the couples in the film have plenty to spare, with every character being given their own shot at scoring laughs. This is especially true when it comes to the two leads. Bateman and McAdams feed off each other extremely well to the point that if the movie were to take the pair’s side-story about trying to start a family and build an entire movie around it, their charisma and enjoyment of each other’s company would be enough to make it compelling. As far as actual performances go, the clear MVPs of the film are Magnussen (who has dumb jock Ryan so down, it’s ridiculous but never boring) and Plemons, who shows a flair for deadpan humor so skilled, his very stance and blank expression elicits the biggest of laughs.
So many comedies tend to fall by the wayside after having their brief time to shine, with most of their jokes wearing thin (anyone remember the last Hangover). The nature of this film’s premise and the many places it can be taken, ensures there’s enough territory here to continuously entertain (evidenced by a scene in which all the characters are playing football in a rich mobster’s house with a priceless item). Yet Game Night is a not just a comedy with an array of funny scenes, but it’s a movie which relishes what makes those scenes funny. The gifts of Game Night are more than plentiful with its pacing, multi-brand of comedy and willing and able cast all working perfectly in sync. Yet what makes the film a real comedic gem is the fact that itself operates like a real-life game night, complete with the kind of excitement, exuberance and sheer unpredictability which compel players hungry for a such a ride.
