There’s always a second chance for someone who’s willing to go through shit. That’s basically what Malcolm Lee’s “Night School” is about.
The movie follows Teddy Walker (Kevin Hart), a highschool dropout who has huge dreams. He’s doing really well working as a barbecue grill salesman–he drives a Porsche, lives in a duplex, and dates a hot successful chick, Lisa (Megalyn Echikunwoke).
His lack of cognitive skills is compensated by his knack for sweet-talking people, which is why he is such a successful salesman.
But things take on a drastic turn when he loses his job and the only way for him to get back on his feet is to get his GED. The catch: he can only do so by going back to school.
With his aversion to school and learning, Teddy tries everything in his book to get what he wants without studying for an exam. He soon gets into different troubles with his misfit classmates until they find a formidable hurdle: their teacher Carrie (Tiffany Haddish).
Although Hart plays the main character, Haddish is, obviously, the star of the show. But while her role here was no Dinah, she was equally entertaining.
I guess it’s due to the nature of her character. Girls’ Trip’s Dinah was a happy-go-lucky girl who’s willing to try anything while Carrie, the teacher, is prim, more behaved, and serious about helping her class. She was fun nevertheless.
Her facial expressions, the way she raises her eyebrows when trying to sniff out bullshit, or how she purses her lips as a sign of disbelief and the way she banters with Hart all generate laughs.
As expected, the movie is filled with hilarious moments. And while there were some issues with how the plot moved forward, you will not have time to notice because you’d be busy laughing at the banters and funny quips.
It’s sarcastic and cheeky comedy–the kind that we like. And it is not devoid of moral values, either. So it’s a win-win for all.
Hart and Haddish is a tandem that needs to happen more often. However, I came to realize that it would have been funnier if the roles were reversed. Haddish would’ve been more hilarious as a student trying to get her diploma. I know you can see her playing Hart’s part a lot more effectively.
Then again, however restrained her character maybe, Haddish sure still made it a lot of fun. Heck, she could play the role of a nun yet still make us roll on the floor, laughing our asses off.
Photos courtesy of United International Pictures
