Olivia Wilde's 'The Invite' is a near-perfect film, boasting an incredible quartet of performers, a wicked score that acts as a fifth character, whip-smart writing, and the funniest line about serving tea since the Ealing comedies. The film, directed by and starring Wilde, also features a period at the end of its title, placing it in august company like 'Clerks.', 'Adaptation.', 'Emma.', and 'Good Night, and Good Luck.'
A Simple Premise with Complex Layers
The story begins simply. Joe (Seth Rogen) returns home from his job as a conservatory music teacher to find his wife, Angela (Wilde), announcing that the neighbours are coming over. Joe and Angela have been renovating their apartment, and Angela wants to apologize for the noise. Joe, however, is more concerned about the noise the neighbours have been making in their bedroom, which permeates the building like a more enthusiastic home makeover.
The neighbours, Hawk and Pina (Edward Norton and Penélope Cruz), arrive, and everyone is on their best behaviour. Angela's best is simperingly eager to please, while Joe's would put Larry David to shame. Hawk and Pina remain a mystery, but it is soon revealed that the boisterous noise from their bedroom is the result of inviting others into their sexual circle. Angela greets this revelation with excitement, while Joe reacts with a mix of lust and fear, both hiding their true feelings behind polite nods.
Exceptional Performances and Writing
The screenplay, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones and based on the 2020 Spanish film 'The People Upstairs,' refuses to move in a straight line, instead jolting along with its confused and horny protagonists. One standout line occurs when Pina asks Joe if he feels worthy of staring at her cleavage in the building's elevator, a question that leaves Joe struggling to process its many layered assumptions.
Another memorable moment is not a line of dialogue but a silent gesture: Pina bestows a deep kiss on Angela's lips, followed by a playful 'boop' on the nose. The film also features a fantastic score from British musician Dev Hynes, with double-bass and other stringed instruments that seem to comment on the action, alongside woven-in elements of Bizet's Carmen.
A Tense and Hilarious Dinner Party
The film is great fun from start to finish, keeping viewers guessing about where the story will go, while also watching Joe and Angela wonder the same thing. The editing is whip-fast, and the pacing keeps the tension high. According to Chris Knight's review, 'The Invite' has everything going for it, from its incredible cast to its wicked score and whip-smart writing.
