September, the month when many movie-goers return to school, is generally not prime release time for a big, raucous, “down ‘n’ dirty” (well, not too since this is PG-13, barely) comedy starring one of the most popular film “funnymen”, Kevin Hart. Aha, but what if the new movie comedy’s premise is his return to school. This could be inspired marketing timing. Speaking of timing, the very prolific Hart, who seemed to be in a new flick every five or six weeks, appears to be pacing himself, perhaps following his own marketing strategy. Aside from his Summer TV game show “TKO”, we’ve not seen him at the multiplex in over nine months, when Hart was part of the ensemble cast that made the reboot adventure JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE a surprise holiday hit. As with that smash, Hart is not alone this time out. Many of his biggest successes have been team-ups, from Ice Cube in the RIDE ALONG franchise to Dwayne Johnson (previous to J:WTTJ) in CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, though the Will Ferrell pairing in GET HARD fizzled. For this new romp, Hart is paired with a lady, a very funny lady. Tiffany Haddish is still Hollywood’s reigning comic “it” girl after her breakout role last year in GIRL’S NIGHT, for which she picked up a few nominations and a couple of awards. Since then she was under-utilized in the dreary TV ad-inspired UNCLE DREW as a gold-digging girlfriend this past Summer. Can her equal billing with Hart cement her “rep” as a movie comedy queen? More importantly, will this new pairing produce laughs and perhaps a few “sparks”? We should learn more when film fans enroll in their NIGHT SCHOOL.
But before night school, the story takes us back to high school in Atlanta circa 2001. Near the end of his senior year, the usually affable Teddy (Hart) is stressed about those college placement tests. On the big day, despite the encouragement of his BFF Marvin (Ben Schwartz), Teddy is overwhelmed. The numbers and figures leap from the page, and buzz about his head like pesky gnats. Angry and frustrated, Teddy leaps up and declares that the test, and all of high school, is for losers and “sheep”, as his nemesis Stewart (Taran Killam) gloats. Why, he’ll have a hot car and equally hot girlfriend despite dropping out, which he states as he leaves the gymnasium. Cut to today, and Teddy is indeed driving his gorgeous girlfriend, aspiring designer Lisa (Megalyn Echkunwoke) to her job in his fancy sports car. As for his job, Teddy is the star salesman at an upscale outdoor grill shop. Though he’s the darling of his boss (the walls are filled with his “salesman of the year” photos), Marvin, who’s an advisor at a big investment firm, tells Teddy that he’s dangerously “over-extended”. Of course, the fates bring Teddy down to Earth when the grill shop implodes (literally). No “prob”, Teddy can grab a spot at Marvin’s place. Ah, but they require a GED. Surely Teddy can run down to his old school and charm the principal into giving him the proper bookwork. But who’s in charge of Piedmont High, now? It’s Stewart, who is eager to show him the door. Teddy inquires about attending night school, but Stewart happily explains that they offer no such option. But one of the teachers, the “no BS” Carrie (Haddish) hears this and explains that there is an open spot in her night class (this despite being part of a “road rage” encounter with Teddy earlier that morning). Soon Teddy is part of the wacky group of misfits in Carries’ night “GED prep” class. But can he make it without those digits dancing around his head once more? More importantly, can he keep his after-hours activity a secret from Lisa, who thinks he’s already an investment advisor? For once, all of Teddy’s charm and hustle may not be enough.
Though the role of Teddy is similar to many of his previous screen characters, Hart brings his near boundless energy once more as the story’s main focus. Of course, he’s got that inflated ego and motor-mouthed delivery to back up his empty-headed swagger, but we’re given a different aspect to the comic protagonist. Teddy’s saddled with challenges from real-life learning disabilities that make the often silly hero much more “human”. It’s a short time though before he’s doing the bodily function gags. Haddish has much of the same manic energy, particularly in her wild duel of put-downs with Hart in their initial meeting. Later, in her workspace, Haddish’s Carrie is a near unstoppable force of lightning-fast sass, cutting through all the ‘crapola”, be it from her students or boss. Said boss is the smarmy, entertaining Killam, who tries to emulate Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark in LEAN ON ME, using a baseball bat to project a funny phony street-wise demeanor. Happily, they share the laughs with many comedy veterans. Several comprise the main night class which has two great ex-“Daily Show” cut-ups. The “in your face” Rob Riggle is a blustery good-hearted doofus as “Big” Mac, while Al Madrigal is the scheming, seething (from his own history with Teddy), very ambitious Louis. Mary Lynn Rajskub (best known from TV’s “24”) grabs big laughs as the repressed, buttoned-up Theresa, a housewife (and longtime mother), eager to fly free as she repeats her mantra “I’m so blessed”. She plays well off of Romany Malco terrific take on the ole’ crazed conspiracy nut, who distrusts all tech. Keith Davis shines in a couple scenes as Teddy’s annoyed, sour poppa. Unfortunately, the very zany comic actor Schwartz (forever Jean-Ralphio on TV’s “Parks and Recreations”) is given little to do aside from being Teddy’s “Jiminy Cricket” and cheerleader. C’mon, this guy is a riot.
Director Malcolm D. Lee proves that he can keep a wacky comedy on track as well as he has put together his big ensemble “dramedies” like his BEST MAN franchise. His biggest challenge is finding the right tone for the often unwieldy script (credited to Hart and five others). It lurches from wild cartoony slapstick (at least Peter Seller’s Clouseau would need a band-aid, while Teddy and Mac should be “mummies” in traction) to compassionate and inspiring (Teddy’s gonna’ tame that darned Dyslexia). Speaking of the latter, should Carrie be using FIGHT CLUB tactics on Teddy after his diagnosis? Seems kinda’ mean-spirited. Plus characters are introduced to challenge Teddy (Lisa’s best pal Maya and Teddy’s sister Denise) disappear almost completely after the 20-minute mark (perhaps casualties of the many scripters). Speaking of MIA characters, what of Haddish as Carrie, who is gone for multiple chunks of time, absent so often you’d think she was hosting the Oscars? The marketers are selling this as a Hart/Haddish comedy (they’re the only ones on the main poster), but Teddy and Carrie (aside from the opening street showdown) never get truly personal. Her Carrie barely exists outside of the Piedmont High. Those fans hoping to see sparks stemming from some on-screen chemistry will feel a tad cheated. Aside from the good “never too late to be educated’ message, the flick just wallows in really vulgar bits ( Teddy and the dessert fork, Theresa’s “backdoor” musings), that would be more at home in an “R-rated” flick (now, now MPAA). Hart fans will get their laughs, but for those of us looking for a great new comedy pairing, well NIGHT SCHOOL doesn’t earn a passing grade.
2 Out of 5
