Make Game Night a Date Night

Game Night may be the romantic comedy we've needed to step up our own game nights. Jason Bateman and Rachael McAdams are a delight with Kyle Chandler charming his way through it all. 

It is evident early on that the production team and director had a lot of fun creating this movie. There's a lot of foreshadowing and misdirections to keep you guessing without it being overwhelming or too on the nose. Plus, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the tilt-shift photography to make the city feel like a game board and pieces. It plays as a constant reminder that it is all a game and a smart move by the director and cinematographer. This is best shown in mid-film where the camera follows a continuous action throughout a home as all the characters interact and work together to complete the task. 

While the story takes many twists and turns, its the cast that is able to keep it together. Jason Bateman and Rachael McAdams play off each other very well and it's that chemistry that drives half of the movie. The other part is between Bateman and Kyle Chandler as a brotherly rivalry is brought up again resulting in game night gone extreme. The rest of the main cast has their own quirks and confrontations, but they rarely overlap with the main story which is a shame. This results in an ending that feels earned, and yet at the same time, a bit unsatisfied. 

Make Game Night your next date night. It has plenty of comedy with just the right amount of romance sprinkled throughout the action scenes.  

- Mike