The Overnight is the child of a long line of movies that center on just a handful of characters over a single day, but actually a lot funnier. The film, written and directed by Patrick Brice, centers on only four characters who each have their own identity issues. Sure, things can get a bit heavy between the quartet, but humorous touches throughout and well-rounded performances help the film’s 80-minute runtime melt away quickly.
Alex (Parks and Recreation’s Adam Scott) and Emily (Orange is the New Black’s Taylor Schilling) are young parents who just moved from Seattle to Los Angeles. Emily is working, while Alex is currently a stay-at-home dad with their young son. While they still have stuff packed in boxes, the seemingly happy couple decide to finally meet the neighbors. The first person they meet at a park is Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) who instantly comes off as being a little weird. But Kurt is a dad, too and their son is getting along with Kurt’s. So, they agree to meet that night for pizza.
When they arrive at Kurt’s luxurious home, they quickly learn that Kurt and his wife Charlotte (Judith Godreche) are not exactly normal. Kurt is an eccentric weirdo with no actual job other than painting butt holes and Charlotte is a masseuse. (I’d be spoiling a big, hilarious reveal if I tell you how they earn their money.)
From that point on, the night just gets more and more strange, while Alex and Emily begin learning more about the relationship they thought was perfect.
The Overnight might remind some viewers of things like Long Day’s Journey Into Night or Woody Allen’s September. Brice puts four characters in a cramped space and watches what happens. The flaws in each character become obvious and while some other filmmakers might want their characters to learn helpful hints, Brice doesn’t give Alex and Emily perfect role models in Kurt and Charlotte.
While Jason Schwartzman is a total riot in this film, what really makes it work is Taylor Schilling. First, she has to play the audience, giving off one hilarious reaction after another in response to whatever is going on. Then, she also has to be the emotional center of the film. While Alex is off buying whatever Kurt is selling, Emily is continuously skeptical about what’s going on. However, one of the flaws in the film is that Emily's character isn't as well fleshed out as the others.
There’s an incredible intimacy, as Brice puts you right into the quartet. It’s funnier that way, making you feel a part of the action. Even though it only takes place in the span of 24 hours, the director gives the impression that we know these characters’ entire lives.
Schwartzman’s performance is the main selling point of the movie, no doubt about it. But Brice provides a wonderfully humorous - and often dark - look at what happens when new neighbors get taken in by the odd couple on the block.
image courtesy of SXSW