NEIGHBORS

(2014) 96 Minutes, Rated R

A.C.’s Review:  Neighbors is the latest “Seth Rogan film” playing in the multiplexes. Apparently not having learned my lesson from going to the last one of his films which was something called I believe THE END (that’s how memorable that film was that I can’t be sure of its name) I went to see this purported comedy to avoid the opening weekend crowds at GODZILLA.

Trailers are a remarkable thing in that they can suck you into thinking the film might be good only to find out upon viewing that the best bits were the ones used in the said trailer.

Depicting the exploits of a 30 something couple with an infant who must combat the unruly behavior of a Greek frat house that has purchased the home next door to theirs the film meanders through 90 plus minutes of one unfunny scene after another. What little plot there is seemingly was made up of the writers throwing everything at the wall hoping something will stick. We have sight gags like the frat trimming the couple hedge into an obscene shape. We have the “laughs” of scenes of heavy drug use. Every possible way to wring humor out of sex is tried and fails miserably. Then there is slap stick like exploding air bags stolen from a car propelling Seth Rogan through the air. It’s all so painfully juvenile. There is the trope all these movies have of the overweight protagonist inexplicably having a hot wife. I think this movie was intended for 14 year olds despite the R rating. I felt embarrassed for an older couple that was in the theater who probably had no idea how wretched this film was or hat it’s content would be so adult.

The only and I mean only redeeming thing worth mentioning is the casting of Rose Byrne as the wife…a favorite Australian actress of mine who actually gets to for once forgo her fake American accent and speak in her own Australian accent. She’s usually in dramas including a long stint on TV show DAMAGES with Glenn Close.

It was nice to see her branching out but sadly her first stab at comedy is this train wreck. I know she will be in the cute looking ANNIE remake with Jamie Foxx this Christmas so there is still hope.

Best Scene: NONE.

A.C.’s Rating:  I was going to say if it was free on TV but they’d edit it to pieces for it to air so it wouldn’t even be worth seeing for free. Avoid this film.