Family traditions get you to do the weirdest of things. In my case, going to the cinema on December 31 before our nightly parties, got us hitched on a yearly rewatch of one of the worst movies ever since its 2011 release. Boasting an impressive 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, Garry Marshall’s New Year’s Eve marked my family, and perhaps you should let it mark yours too.
Imagine Love Actually, but with everything happening on New Year’s Eve, changing the setting to New York, and executing it in an abysmally worse way. I might not be selling it but, believe me, this is the best comfort movie for the last day of the year. New Year’s Eve might be a trainwreck, but it is one that’s enjoyable to watch. For better or worse, it’s also a testament of its time, with a stellar cast to top it all off.
‘New Year’s Eve’ Is a Cringefest That Dominates the So-Bad-It’s-Good Territory
New Year’s Eve relies on the sentimentalism and nostalgia that invades the human race when a new year is upon it. The recap of the ups and downs is mixed with the promise of a brighter future, bringing forth hopeful resolutions. Thus, characters like Michelle Pfeiffer’s Ingrid and Zac Efron’s Paul come together to fulfill her list of 12 resolutions before the year ends. Robert De Niro’s Stan is a terminally-ill patient who just wants to see the Times Square ball drop before he departs this world. Hilary Swank’s Claire – the desperate vice-president of the Times Square Alliance that has to deal with the ball being stuck – gives a heartwarming speech about pausing and reflecting on what has transpired in the year and how our lives have changed.
Not only are these sentiments cringey and cheesy, they’re also superficial and reductive. But it works within the narrative of New Year’s Eve and its central message about making the most of each December 31. Leaving the soapiness aside, some of the movie’s comedic bits manage to land gracefully. I will never get tired of watching Carla Gugino’s Dr. Morriset threaten Seth Meyers’ Griffin with a rectal exam or Sarah Jessica Parker’s Kim get grilled by her brother and daughter for using clogs. These little nuggets elevate New Year’s Eve into its status as one of the most rewatchable guilty pleasures of all time.
For Better or Worse, ‘New Year’s Eve’ Will Take You Back to 2011
The cast that Marshall assembled to be part of this movie was, and still is, an impressive feat. Sofía Vergara and Sarah Paulson’s careers were reaching new heights, with the first becoming comedy royalty as Gloria in Modern Family, and the latter starting her path of spooks in American Horror Story. By 2011, Parker had wrapped up her Sex and the City era after the release of the second movie. Katherine Heigl had just exited Grey’s Anatomy during its sixth season in pursuit of her rom-com career.
Younger stars of New Year’s Eve cast were also at their primes. Lea Michele was almost halfway through the era-defining Glee, and got to display her singing chops in the film – along with Jon Bon Jovi nonetheless. Efron was in the twilight of his twink death, on the way to become the leading hunk he is today. Also, this film was Abigail Breslin’s stepping stone into more teenage roles. So yes, basically everyone who was someone in the late 2000s and early 2010s, was part of New Year’s Eve. If reminiscing about the 2010s is your thing, the nostalgia this film evokes upon rewatch is unparalleled.
3 New Year’s Eve Songs That Are Perfect for Any Countdown Party
These songs will have you feeling all the emotions as the clock strikes midnight.
The Already Star-Studded Cast is Joined by an Ensemble of A-Listers
For as bad as it may be, New Year’s Eve not only had many up-and-comers, but A-list actors as well. Academy Award winners and nominees like Swank, De Niro, Pfeiffer, and Halle Berry make the most of this clunky script. Berry, particularly, is the one who stands out. As Aimee, a nurse whose only wish is for her boyfriend to come back from the war, she brings gravitas to this otherwise shallow film. Still, the united talents of this lot motivate you to turn a blind eye to the film’s flaws.
For 14 consecutive years, watching New Year’s Eve on December 31 has been the worst tradition my family has come up with. But, in the rush of the last hours of each passing year, this is a moment I’ve come to cherish deeply. So, wherever you are, thank you, Garry Marshall, for the guiltiest of pleasures of this and every holiday season.
