Game Night

2018’s Game Night, directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.

Starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, Jeffrey Wright, and Danny Huston.

What is it about?

Game Night is about a competitive couple (Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams) who host regular games nights with a group of friends (Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, and Kylie Bunbury). Jason Bateman’s sketchy brother (Kyle Chandler), shows up one day, with an offer to take their game night to the next level. While the group tries to avoid inviting next door neighbour police officer (Jesse Pleamons), Chandler’s recreational escalation goes off the rails and the group’s game night morphs into a true life role playing quest involving kidnapping, witness protection, and international gangsters. Will the gang be able to solve the case, or end up in Trouble and Sorry?

Why is it worth seeing?

Hollywood studio comedies of late have a real Monopoly on under cooked scripts that don’t have a Clue. Focusing instead on comedic actors showcasing improvisation skills, they make the rare meaningful laughs feel almost Taboo, as even the too few amusing moments fail to connect. That’s why Game Night is so refreshing- it creates a world with characters that feels like it’s a funny and Small World.

At first blush, Night could come across to film lovers like an homage to 1997’s The Game, both in content and appearance- that is if the Michael Douglas character refused to believe that the Snakes and Ladders chicanery was happening in real life. Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein re-create the David Fincher aesthetic of slick grubbiness, and even at one point have an inspired long take- giving it a level of care and intention that delivers far more than the genre typically demands.

Mark Perez’s script’s characters feel a little in the vein of Battleship’s- simple archetypes, but they can pack a heavy punch. By the end of the film, the gags and the characters feel lived in, like we’re a member of the nerdy community that can’t wait for next week’s Schrades contest. Its pauses, awkward silences, and perfectly punctuated comments, are expert level writing.

Main characters Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, him of the familiar put upon straight man, and her of as the hyper competitive but bubbly out of her element  partner (I’m biased, as I feel she can do anything), do a great job of conveying a couple whom originally bonded as Cranium calculators, but seem poised to get through anything together. Capably supporting them, are their supporting friends/family. From the scam-a-minute brother Chandler, to Lamorne Morris and Kylie Bunbury’s couple whom have a Danzel Washington themed crisis, to serial dater Billy Magnussen (who is testing out/being tested by Sharon Horgan), to the hysterical Jesse Pleamons as a neighbour who makes your skin crawl. They’re collective efforts are playing Chess instead of Checkers.

Like a thrilling game of Scattergories, Game Night’s thrilling action and genuine laughs offered from its characters convalesce into an enjoyable evening for all. With Hollywood preferring limp offerings of celebrity comedians improvising over proficient character driven oddities, it’s a treat that offers no Risk to having in your home any night of the week.

Rating:

4/5

Trailer: Click Here.