All-star ensemble film is an upbeat viewing treat

EFRON AND PFEIFFER. Their shared sub-story ends up as one of the movie’s most delightful and affecting sections.

We were looking forward to watching the ensemble film, “New Year’s Eve,” because we wanted it to usher in a cinematically splendid 2012. Alas, it doesn’t appear like it’s going to do that to a sufficiently distinctive degree, because some of its subplots don’t thematically and stylistically mesh with its other stories.

All told, however, the film is still an upbeat viewing treat. Its best suit is its impressively huge stellar cast, from young teen Abigail Breslin to senior icon, Robert de Niro. Who turn in the best or most interesting portrayals?

Instructively enough, they’re not necessarily one and the same thing. To illustrate: In terms of talent, De Niro is the best performer in the film by far – but, he’s saddled with the dodgy role of a dying man who could depart from this life unloved and unmourned by anyone. That’s a dangerously lugubrious role that even the august likes of De Niro can’t completely redeem.

Substantial role

On the other hand, Zac Efron has the ostensibly less substantial role of a delivery boy whose participation in the movie’s tapestry of year-end tales is his having been “hired” by Michelle Pfeiffer’s character to help her fulfill the “last” wishes on her bucket list.

Efron is important to her story, because he provides the feisty enthusiasm and never-say-die attitude that makes it possible for her to belatedly experience how it feels to be fulfilled and happy. The actor does this with verve and distinction, and their shared sub-story ends up as one of the movie’s most delightful and affecting sections.

Incidentally, Pfeiffer also does particularly well as the dowdy, “old” loser she plays. It’s a big departure from her glamorous and vibrant characters in the past, but she’s able to swing it with distinction.

Halle Berry is given an even smaller role, as the nurse who keeps De Niro’s character company on his final night. Her simple but moving act of kindness brightens his dark and lonely world only for a few hours – but, it’s enough to make him change his mind about the futility of life, and the impossibility of forgiveness.

Key transition

The film’s newest star, Lea Michele, has just “graduated” to the big screen from TV’s “Glee.” How well does she manage the key transition to film stardom? – Very well, indeed!

She shares most of her scenes with Ashton Kutcher – they’re trapped in an elevator on New Year’s Eve. Kutcher is an experienced and savvy performer, but Lea is able to keep up with him by way of her spirited and luminous portrayal – so, a star, indeed, is born!

Other key players in Garry Marshall’s ensemble film include Hilary Swank as the executive in charge of New Year’s Eve festivities on Times Square, Katherine Heigl as the mad as heck former love of singing star, Bon Jovi, Sarah Jessica Parker as Breslin’s misunderstood mom, and Josh Duhamel as Parker’s date – one full year after they first met.

The fantasy dovetailing is cute, but she looks much too old for him, so the thrill is going, going, gone!