Rough Night

Feminism takes a couple of steps backward in this estrogen-forced comedy when a Miami bachelorette weekend goes awry. Aiming for a gender-flipping reversal of The Hangover and similar fare, the raucous story revolves around Jess Thayer (Scarlett Johansson), who is running for the Florida state senate. Although she projects a straitlaced image, Jess wasn't always a goody-two-shoes. Indeed, as Alice (Jillian Bell)--her needy, still-single former college roommate friend--reminds her, Jess once encouraged Alice in a frat-house beer-pong tournament, whispering “Do it for womankind.” Now Jess is getting married, and Alice organizes a party weekend at a posh beach house borrowed from one of Jess's campaign donors. Attending are strident political activist Frankie (Ilana Glazer) and almost-divorced New York socialite Blair (Zoë Kravitz), who were once a hot 'n' heavy duo--plus Pippa (Kate McKinnon), Kate's free-spirited Australian chum, dubbed “Kiwi” by jealous Alice. After drinking, snorting cocaine, and carousing as a posse, complications arise over the accidental death of a brawny male stripper, coupled with the inconvenient attention of the smarmy swingers-next-door (Demi Moore, Ty Burrell)--not to mention the arrival of menacing jewel thieves. Working from a cliché-laden script, co-writer/director Lucia Aniello's Rough Night features a predictably formulaic and flimsy plot peopled with stereotypical (and unlikable) characters. Only fitfully funny, this is an optional purchase. (S. Granger)