Neighbors (1981)

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 | Coffee | Punk Girl | Father Daughter Relationship | Power Line

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:

The original score was written by Blues Brothers Band founding member Tom Scott. It was very serious and dramatic, and tested badly with audiences. So, John G. Avildsen asked his frequent collaborator Bill Conti to write a score emphasizing the comedic aspects of the film. Both scores were released in 2007 by the Varese Sarabande CD club in a limited edition.

Quotes:

Enid Keese: Vic, what did you say is in a pile driver?
Vic: Italian Galliano for passion, Irish Mist for love and Russian vodka for endurance.

Movie Connections:

References Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Soundtrack:

Stayin' Alive

If Vic and Ramona move in next door, prepare for change.

Belushi and Aykroyd team up for a dark comedy unlike any I've seen.

Earl (Belushi) is quietly living his life in the suburbs with his wife and daughter, but it takes a decided turn for the worse when a lunatic (Aykroyd) and his wife move in next door.

Earl's life is turned into a nonsensical nightmare by the new couple; Vic tells nonstop lies about everything including whether his 'home-made' spaghetti sauce came from a jar and if the spaghetti is from a non-existent Italian restaurant while his wife Ramona (Cathy Moriarty) alternately seduces and blackmails Earl. Particularly funny is the segment in which Earl tries to sneak out in the middle of the night for a rendezvous with Ramona, only to be caught by Vic, who is awake, on his rooftop, and wearing scuba gear.

I didn't really care for this movie the first time I saw it, because almost nothing made any sense. Now, it's one of the few movies I've purchased. I suppose it's an acquired taste, but don't give up too quickly on it. After all, Belushi isn't making any new ones, is he?

ps- Great musical score! No instruments lend themselves to bizarre going-ons quite as readily as a trombone and kazoo.