Film Review: "Game Night" (2018).

"This is not a game." This is Game Night. This dark comedy film directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, and written by Mark Perez. The film follows Max and Annie, whose weekly couples Game Night gets kicked up a notch when Max’s charismatic brother, Brooks, arranges a murder mystery party, complete with fake thugs and faux federal agents. So, when Brooks gets kidnapped, it’s all part of the game… right? But as the six uber-competitive gamers set out to solve the case and win, they begin to discover that neither this "game"— nor Brooks - are what they seem to be. Over the course of one chaotic night, the friends find themselves increasingly in over their heads as each twist leads to another unexpected turn. With no rules, no points, and no idea who all the players are, this could turn out to be the most fun they’ve ever had…

Perez was hired by producer John Fox to come story ideas for the title Game Night. Perez took inspiration from films like Three Amigos and Tropic Thunder. He pitched the concept to Fox, who liked it. The two pitched the project to Jason Bateman, who also liked it. However, Fox ultimately passed not the project. Around 2013-14, they then sold the idea to New Line Cinema. Bateman was initially slated to direct, as well as produce and star in the film. However, when Goldstein and Francis Daley were hired to rewrite Perez's script, it became clear to Bateman that the two would also want to direct the film, so Bateman stepped down. In late May 2016, New Line Cinema officially hired Goldstein and Francis Daley to direct the film. In January 2017, Bateman, Rachel McAdams, and Jesse Plemons were cast in the film's lead roles. By early April 2017, Danny Huston, Michael C. Hall, Kyle Chandler, Chelsea Peretti, Billy Magnussen, Sharon Horgan, Lamorne Morris, and Kylie Bunbury rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and took place in Atlanta, Georgia. Warner Bros. Pictures had originally scheduled the film for a February 14, 2018 release date. However, the date was later pushed back to March 2, 2018, before being moved up to February 23, 2018.

The film stars Bateman, McAdams, Huston, Hall, Chandler, Plemons, Peretti, Magnussen, Horgan, Morris, and Bunbury. Much of the film is crass and cringe-worthy, but even more is genuinely funny, thanks largely to a deep cast. The set-ups are laborious and stupid and largely untenable, but the actors bring just enough emotion to the frame to make us care.

Game Night is by no means a masterpiece, but it's definitely a solid comedy effort. It's in very bad taste, a lot of poop jokes and politically incorrect, but it made laugh out loud. It is good, not-always-clean fun. The film is very fun and provokes a lot of laughter. It's not a classy comedy, but isn't as raunchy as you would think, it's right in the middle ground. The film passes the most important test of any comedy: it's funny.

Simon says Game Night receives:

Also, see my review for Vacation.