Rated R: 100 Minutes
By Kathryn Whitney Boole
If you haven’t seen Game Night, you’ve missed a gem of a movie – even though it was released at the end of February, it’s still screening, so go see it. It’s one of those “sleeper films” that was not heavily advertised. This film is in musical terms a counterpoint, where two different melodies weave around one another at the same time creating a fascinating composition. Here two different genres, romantic comedy and hilarious heist movie, weave and intertwine around one another to create an interesting and highly entertaining story. There seems to be a surprise every minute. Directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein really know how to create shock value. The characters are well drawn and well performed, immediately recognizable.
As the film begins it seems to be a sparkling tale of a group of friends who gather once a week to play charades and other challenge games. Soon the narrative becomes so much more – nonstop double takes, comedic double entendres, unexpected craziness, all within a story framework that moves forward with a nonstop rhythm.
The film features two Friday Night Lights alums who had heavy dramatic roles in that series. In this film they show their comedic sides. Jesse Plemons is hilarious in a deadpan role as the outcast of the group. Kyle Chandler shines as the successful older brother who is not what he seems. Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams and Sharon Horgan are also delightful.
I believe Game Night is this year’s Baby Driver or Get Out, a lower budget lesser known film that is extremely well made and could get some Oscar noms. As an added bonus, it’s a great date night movie.
Kathryn Whitney Boole has spent most of her life in the entertainment industry, which has been the backdrop for remarkable adventures with extraordinary people. She is a Talent Manager with Studio Talent Group in Santa Monica.
