The Night Before

Three friends facing up to various adult responsibilities decide to end their tradition of going out partying on Christmas Eve, but not before one final wild night. What follows is a stoner comedy wrapped in tinsel, with the plot much further down the list of priorities than the comedy. Our befuddled companions stumble around various Christmas-themed settings, getting into drug and sex-related misadventures that feel more like part of a sketch than a linear plot. Still, while it may feel segmented, it has a lot of funny moments, thanks mainly to the cast. Seth Rogen is a force of nature as the soon-to-be father with a box full of party drugs; while Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Anthony Mackie have enough charm and sincerity to make their sophomoric antics relatable. The Night Before stops short of being a holiday classic, but like its three charismatic stars you'll enjoy the ride while it lasts.