Synopsis: Joe and Angela’s marriage is on thin ice. When they invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbors for a dinner party, the night spirals into unexpected places. Have they reignited the spark or lit the match that burns it all down?
What We Thought:
The Invite is one of the most authentic films of the past decade. Based on a stage show, Director Olivia Wilde captures the stage feel in this heavy dialogue based narrative. The majority of the film takes place in one apartment with four actors talking throughout providing a claustrophobic environment with strong performances from the leads.
Olivia Wilde not only directs, but stars as Angela, wife of Seth Rogen’s Joe. The pair are married with a daughter, but are definitely at the point of their relationship that either they figure out what’s wrong or call it quits. Joe is a music teacher who used to be in a band. He feels like his life is passing him by. Enter Pina (Penélope Cruz) and Hawk (Ed Norton), neighbors who Joe doesn’t seem to like. Angela has invited them over for dinner and insists she’s told Joe about it which leads to their latest fight. Joe doesn’t like the neighbors, their love life or their ability to not just leave him alone. Everyone seems to have an agenda besides Joe and the resulting film feels like couples you know or may even be a part of.
It’s that realism that makes the film work. Every character feels authentic and like someone you know. No one seems miscast. No one needs to be cut out or seems underdeveloped. It’s four authentic people talking like how people talk in a ridiculous situation that feels true. I dug it and can see myself revisiting it often.
If you look at the four names in the cast I mentioned, you’d immediately think Seth Rogen would be the weak link of the bunch and in another movie you’d probably be right. He’s normally known for stoner comedies where he laughs for 90 minutes, but The Invite might be the best work he’s ever done. Despite going opposite award worthy actors, not only does Rogen hold his own, his monologue at the end when Joe gets to release his emotions is amazing. Where this Rogen has been hiding is beyond me, but I’d love to see more of it. I don’t know if he has a Jim Carrey/Robin Williams drama career ahead of him, but he proved in this he’s capable of potentially having one.
The Invite is yet another gem for A24. Will McCormack and Rashida Jones have written one of the best adult themed movies I’ve seen in years. Wilde captures the stage show vibe perfectly and all four leads fit their roles perfectly. Right now it’s my frontrunner for best film of the year.
The Nerds Templar 