This image released by Universal Pictures shows Tiffany Haddish, left, and Kevin Hart in a scene from "Night School." (Eli Ade/Universal Pictures via AP)

Finally, we get to see comedian Kevin Hart stretch his muscles as an actor and deliver the deepest, most profound, potentially Oscar worthy performance of his career.

I’m just kidding. He plays the exact same character he’s always played.

Rating: **½ (out of 5)

“Night School” is the story of Teddy Walker (Kevin Hart), a high school dropout who managed to make something of himself as a successful salesman at a store selling barbecue grills. Teddy is so successful he is told by his boss that following his retirement, he will leave the business to Teddy. This potential promotion leads Teddy to finally pop the question to his girlfriend, Lisa (Megalyn Echikunwoke), a successful interior designer.

However, the relationship has caused Teddy to put himself into massive debt as he, in order to impress her, has created a lifestyle he can’t afford. He goes through with the proposal. As he proposes, his romantic set up triggers an explosion and the business, along with Teddy’s shot as owner, literally goes up in flames.

Now desperate to find a job, Teddy’s best friend and pro bono financial adviser, Marvin (Ben Schwartz), tells Teddy he could probably hire him, but he has one hurdle to clear. He must get his GED. Teddy enrolls in night school at his old high school, now run by his high school nemesis, Stewart (Taran Killam), who seems determined to show his dominance over Teddy.

The only ace teddy has up his sleeve is Carrie (Tiffany Haddish), the over-worked, no-nonsense night school teacher who sees through Teddy. She refuses to put up with any of Teddy’s nonsense, but as she gets to know him, she may be the first teacher to see his true potential.

“Night School” is directed by Malcolm D. Lee, who is best known for the soon-to-be “Best Man” trilogy and “Girls Trip.” He has experience working with both Hart and Haddish. The movie is a mess, but an entertaining mess. It tries so hard, but not all of the countless jokes tossed at the audience work.

When the jokes are absolutely successful, they are laugh out loud hysterical. The film even gets a bit emotional at the end, which I did not expect. Hart and Haddish work well together, but one is miles above the other in terms of acting ability.

Haddish delivers a very good performance, playing the straight man to Hart’s zany antics, and manages to get many laughs. Kevin Hart plays Kevin Hart, so you already know what to expect.

“Night School” is not the best comedy of the year. I am straddling the line on whether to recommend it. I laughed a lot and even cared about the journey the characters were on, but I also rolled my eyes and sighed a lot as well.

It’s a barely effective film, but if all you want are easy, lighthearted laughs, then the movie will probably make the grade for you. If I had to give it a letter grade, this is the “D equals diploma” of comedies.