That Awkward Moment
Starring: Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Teller
Director: Tom Gormicon
Rated R:
Three best friends in make a deal to stay single and enjoy hanging out while each one is getting further and further involved in what can only be described as a relationship. What an original concept a romantic comedy with a bet involved, having scene that since American Pie, , How to get a Guy in 10 days, She’s All That, You get the point we are not travelling into new territory here.
Zac Efron stars as Jason a perpetually skinny jean wearing, coffee drinking, designer of book covers. Jason has two pals Mikey (Michael B. Jordan) a young Doctor whose wife wants a divorce and Daniel (Miles Teller) the quick talking, funny one. While they all decide to remain single to help Mikey forget about his crumbling marriage. They secretly all decide to forge into relationships in their own way, until they can no longer keep things secret.
In what is being sold as a raunchy R rated comedy can undoubtedly be more accurately described as Sex & the City for twenty something guys.
These three go out at night and then discuss their relationships by day.
It is remarkably inoffensive and yes enjoyable if you go into it with the right expectations (you will see nothing new). The diminutive Efron walks around like Kramer in Seinfeld wearing the too tight jeans, he has a generic Starbucks cup in his hand at every moment. He is only a handlebar mustache away from winning the hipster douche bag crown.
The standout in the film is Daniel (Miles) who although lacks the physiques of Jordan and Efron makes up for it with charisma and wit. His thread in the story is the most realistic and delivers the majority of the comedy in this romantic comedy.
If you ever wanted to see what the early nineties fuss of bradshaw and company was all about but you don’t want the stigma associated with watching something that features dishing about Blahniks and the sex life of middle aged woman, then run don’t walk to the theater you will get all the relationship conversation you can handle with a few comedic moments mixed in.
Grade -68
Best Night Ever
Starring: Desiree Hall, Samantha Colburn, Eddie Ritchard, Crista Flanagan
Director: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
About to get married Claire is whisked away by her sister and two friends for a bachelorette party she will never forget.
Did you like the Hangover and Bridesmaids and think that alone they are good but combined this fusion would be the greatest mashup film since weddings met comedies? Did you ever ponder the thought of perhaps adding an unnecessary found footage element to the film that just might bring in the crowd who longs for occasional motion sickness? Welcome to ‘The Best Night Ever’
This is the film equivelant of Jungle Juice/Spodee or whatever your region calls a bunch of different liquors and fruit thrown together While one might find Vodka, Gin and fruit a terrible combination that is only because you have not added the sugary sweetness of Rum to it. Where am I going with this analogy I will tell you. Think of Claire (Desiree Hall), Leslie (Samantha Coburn), Zoe (Eddie Ritchard) as the aforementioned with Janet (Crissta Flanagan) being the Rum .
Without Flanagan’s sugar Best Night Ever completely falls apart. She singlehandedly throws this on her back and handles every gross out gag with aplomb. Lactation, Defacation, Theft pretty much everything funny in the film is due to Flanagan’s Janet. Thats not to say that the rest of the players don’t pull their weight they just don’t get the showiest role.
I am all for woman stepping into what is typically a man’s territory. Grossout humor isn’t for everyone but I applaud the effort.
For the record the entire video tape angle never needed to be used and detracts from the rest of the film.
Grade – 68
Neither is horrible yet neither breaks new ground. They are both in the same boat entertaining with some funny moments. These are both great stay at home on a Friday night movies.
So who is the ultimate victor in this face off? My guess is Red Box.
