Neighbors (1981)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

John G. Avildsen

Writers:

Thomas Berger (novel)
Larry Gelbart (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 December 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Lock the doors... here come the Neighbors

Plot:

A quiet man's peaceful suburban lifestyle is threatened by the new, obnoxious couple that moves in next door.

Plot Keywords:

House | Meat | Prank Telephone Call | Shadow | Torn Shirt

Cast

John Belushi	...	Earl Keese
Kathryn Walker	...	Enid Keese
Cathy Moriarty	...	Ramona
Dan Aykroyd	...	Vic
Igors Gavon	...	Chic
Dru-Ann Chuckran	...	Chic's Wife
Tim Kazurinsky	...	Pa Greavy
Tino Insana	...	Perry Greavy
P.L. Brown	...	Police Officer #1
Henry Judd Baker	...	Police Officer #2
Lauren-Marie Taylor	...	Elaine Keese
Sherman G. Lloyd	...	Fireman #1 (DOC) (as Sherman Lloyd)
Bert Kittel	...	Fireman #2
J.B. Friend	...	Additional Fireman
Bernie Friedman	...	Additional Fireman

Also Known As:

Neighbours (Australia)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Staten Island, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

This was a troubled production because the actors argued with the director, the director argued with producers and everybody tried to rewrite the screenplay. At one point, John Belushi, who would soon die from a drug overdose, accused writer Larry Gelbart of drinking too much.

Quotes:

Ramona: You should have slipped it through the mail slot while you had the chance, Earl.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 100 Years of Comedy (1997) (V)

Soundtrack:

Holiday In Cambodia

For those who like their comedy dark, it's great!

As is evident from the many split decisions to be found on this site, "Neighbors" is not everyone's cup of tea. However, for those who have a taste for dark comedy, it is quite a good film. As has been stated numerous times, this film was a critical and box-office failure, and there were many tensions between Belushi and the director on set. Despite this turmoil, or maybe because of it, "Neighbors" has an authentically skewed, uncomfortable tone. This works in it's favor, however, considering the subject matter. As does the casting of Aykroyd and Belushi in the roles of tormentor and victim, respectively. This choice is probably most responsible for some's dislike of the film. Unfortunately, Belushi, near the end of his life, was being pigeon-holed as a crass, boorish "wild man" of comedy, mostly due to his turns in "National Lampoon's Animal House" and "1941." However, he was a fine comedic actor capable of great subtlety and fine nuance, which is why he consciously chose the role he did (the film was originally conceived with John in the role of Vic). This film and many scenes from his first year on "Saturday Night Live" grandly illustrate his range. Likewise, Dan Aykroyd was quite an intense performer back then - in many "SNL" scenes (again, mostly from the first year), Aykroyd paraded out a variety of high-strung bizarre characters which practically vibrated with energy... indeed, though he did not end up playing it, the role of "D-Day" in "Animal House" was conceived with Dan in mind. Here, he really gets to cut loose and, as always, his and John's interplay are priceless. Not to be overlooked is the incredibly hot Cathy Moriarty who, not to take away from her own formidable comedic prowess, was quite the piece of ass (she was also stunning in "Raging Bull"). This is by no means a perfect film, and it does slow in spots, but it is by no means the disaster many make it out to be. See for yourself... love it or hate it, at least admire it for trying to be different. Funny stuff!