There is nothing wrong with an unapologetic R-rated comedy with all the shock jokes and lewd sight gags that it entails. ‘Neighbors’ is that kind of fun movie, just make sure you leave the kids at home. It is a non-stop roller coaster ride that never ceases trying to top it’s previous gag. And at the end of the day, if you don’t mind that type of humor, it’s just plain funny. It tries to throw some heart in there to occasionally soften the impact, but try not to take it seriously (shouldn’t be hard).
The plot deals with Kelly (Rose Byrne) and Mac (Seth Rogen), a young couple with a newborn, who are settling down to begin their idyllic suburban life. While they miss their partying single days, they are more excited about a trendy gay couple possibly moving next door than going out with their single friends. Unfortunately for them, the gay couple doesn’t move in and the next day they notice Greek letters going up and soon realize a fraternity is moving in next door. Thinking they are still young and hip they try to be ‘cool’ neighbors and go over and introduce themselves. Their only request is to ‘keep it down’ a bit because of the baby. The handsome and chiseled house president, Teddy (Zac Effron, leaving his squeaky clean Disney image behind) assures them it won’t be a problem. Of course, Teddy has no intention of keeping any of the partying down. If anything, he is trying to secure his legend in the annals of his Fraternity’s history. Violating their agreement, Mac calls the cops. Unfortunatley, they are identified as the one who complained and the war is on.
Rose Byrne proved her comedic chops in ‘Bridesmaids’ and she further demonstrates them here. One of the things I loved about her performance is that usually in films of this type, the wife plays the disapproving voice of reason, constantly shaking her head at her buffoonish husband’s antics. Here, Rose Byrne’s Kelly makes decisions every bit as moronic and goofy as her husband as the war escalates. She is Mac’s partner in bad decision making at every level.
I have to give Zac Effron credit; given that he is a boy model Disney alumni, he does a credible job at R-rated comedy. Along with his side-kick and vice-president Pete (played by James Franco’s more talented brother Dave Franco), he is able to portray Fraternity life as both epic and ridiculous. Probably the film’s only attempts at heart (and mercifully short lived) is the relationship between the teddy and Pete. Teddy is living in the moment, but at the same time desperate to leave a legacy as he knows after he graduates his time on top will be over. Pete comes at it from the reverse angle as he begins to realize how meaningless Fraternity life is in the real world even though the bonds with his brothers are unbreakable. Whatever their epiphanies, both will not let a couple of ‘square’ neighbors ruin their senior year.
The plot is the typical escalating ‘tit-for-tat’ as is the case with most comedic war between neighbors, but I have to say this one is funnier than most. Don’t go expecting anything deep or insightful. The is just good escapism and quality laughs. I enjoyed all the performances in this and was smiling long after I left the theater. Not much higher praise I can give to a comedy.
I give this film *** stars
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