Voyeurism is something we all have probably dabbled in at some time. Whether through eves-dropping, or like Jimmy Stewart in REAR WINDOW. Neil LaBute, director of YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, certainly likes voyeurism, and puts the viewer through an almost agonizing voyeuristic trip into sex, lies, and infidelity. A woman must have really hurt this guy at some point in his life because I have never seen two films where men discuss women with such contempt and disgust. IN THE COMPANY OF MEN, his first film in 1997, starred Aaron Eckhart, who hates women so much, he plots to destroy the life of a deaf woman with the help of a "friend". He knows he is charming and he knows he can do it. The truth is no one in both films are friends and with FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, LaBute eerily puts us in the middle of conversations we are not meant to hear. They are always sexual in content and the men always come off despicable. You feel for the poor women in the film. But even they are not innocent.
I'm not sure what it is about the film that appealed to me. It must be intrigue. Although no character is very likeable (except for Mary, played by Amy Brenneman), you keep watching the games unfurl. The 'plot' of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN was the plot itself, to lower and shatter a woman's self-esteem. Eckhart, who was so ruthless and reprehensible in that picture, is barely noticeable in YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. LaBute puts a mustache and weight on him, otherwise you would immediately connect the two different characters. This works to open up the door for devil #2 of his films, played by Jason Patric. Guess what? The guy can act, just one note, but it works. His creepiness fills the movie and may even serve as LaBute's alter ego. This is a very personal film.
YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS is hard to discuss unless you have seen it. It is purely situational and its a voyeur's delight. The conversations may take place in the light of day, but some hit you like a ton of bricks. An example: "I need you to think of me as a penis. I'll think of you as one big vagina." Just a taste of what to expect: hard-hitting, depressing, realistic, everyday immorality in the lives of 6 New Yorkers who really don't like each other very much. This is a companion piece to IN THE COMPANY OF MEN. The films together would make quite a film festival for depressed males aged 26 to 40, are angry with women, and have nothing better to do. Don't ask me why but I give it a:
RATING: 7 of 10
I'm not sure what it is about the film that appealed to me. It must be intrigue. Although no character is very likeable (except for Mary, played by Amy Brenneman), you keep watching the games unfurl. The 'plot' of IN THE COMPANY OF MEN was the plot itself, to lower and shatter a woman's self-esteem. Eckhart, who was so ruthless and reprehensible in that picture, is barely noticeable in YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. LaBute puts a mustache and weight on him, otherwise you would immediately connect the two different characters. This works to open up the door for devil #2 of his films, played by Jason Patric. Guess what? The guy can act, just one note, but it works. His creepiness fills the movie and may even serve as LaBute's alter ego. This is a very personal film.
YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS is hard to discuss unless you have seen it. It is purely situational and its a voyeur's delight. The conversations may take place in the light of day, but some hit you like a ton of bricks. An example: "I need you to think of me as a penis. I'll think of you as one big vagina." Just a taste of what to expect: hard-hitting, depressing, realistic, everyday immorality in the lives of 6 New Yorkers who really don't like each other very much. This is a companion piece to IN THE COMPANY OF MEN. The films together would make quite a film festival for depressed males aged 26 to 40, are angry with women, and have nothing better to do. Don't ask me why but I give it a:
RATING: 7 of 10