The Overnight (C+) Movie Review
The Overnight stars Taylor Schilling and Adam Scott as the new parents in town. They've just moved from Seattle to Los Angeles with their son and are concerned with making friends, because making friends is hard when you're an adult. They meet another couple, played by Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godreche, at the park and are invited over for dinner. But after the kids are put to bed, an interesting night ensues with both couples.
I think The Overnight is an example of the kind of film that feels more edgy than it really is. True, it has a lot of nudity and sexual antics packed into a slim run time of 82 minutes but copious amounts of nudity does not equal edginess.
Taylor Schilling and Judith Godreche are both great in the film. Schilling's character will probably remind one of her character in Orange is the New Black. She plays this kind of character really well; one who's very much the serious girl and has to be very much in her comfort zone to go a little crazy. Here, she's a little more relaxed than Piper Chapman ever was but the point is, she can play that character well and she does it again here.
The real stars of the film (or at least the ones that are given the most interesting things to do) are Adam Scott and Jason Schwartzman. Schwartzman plays up his character's eccentricity and mystery really well. Does he have ulterior motives? What is his end game here? Adam Scott can play the straight man in a comedy quite well. He's a little slow to unwind and reveal himself (literally and figuratively) and it reminds me of his work in Parks and Recreation.
What's really great about the whole cast is, though, they're totally game for anything Patrick Brice's risque and raunchy script throws at them. They're all in and their chemistry with her each other is what makes The Overnight fun to watch.
The characters and their arcs are another big plus for the film. These are some interesting characters! They feel three-dimensional and their problems are relatable. These characters' issues are so intimate that it's hard not to feel something for them. And all of their arcs are excellent. Everyone has come out of this "experience" having learned something and being changed as a person.
I'll throw in briefly how remarkable I thought the film's look was; the neon lighting and dreamy score give the film a very modern and sleek vibe.
These characters are interesting, yes, but one of my problems is they're not given a whole lot of interesting things to do. They take off some clothes, they talk about some of their problems, and then they get very close to doing some naughty things. But without spoiling anything, Brice never goes far enough to create anything very substantial or interesting to say.
The overall effect of the film is slight. I doubt you're going to remember it. It's a lot of banter and stripping and doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. It abandons what it could have said about sexuality and the rote of adulthood in favor of lots of tease and awkward sexual antics that are awkward in the way that they're kind of funny.
The Overnight takes one or two turns that you sort of didn't expect, it has some strong performances, and these characters are really interesting. The problem is, there's not a lot of funny here or anything truly compelling. The actors give you a reason to keep watching but don't expect to remember it.
FINAL GRADE: C+
MPAA RATING: R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and drug use
I think The Overnight is an example of the kind of film that feels more edgy than it really is. True, it has a lot of nudity and sexual antics packed into a slim run time of 82 minutes but copious amounts of nudity does not equal edginess.
Taylor Schilling and Judith Godreche are both great in the film. Schilling's character will probably remind one of her character in Orange is the New Black. She plays this kind of character really well; one who's very much the serious girl and has to be very much in her comfort zone to go a little crazy. Here, she's a little more relaxed than Piper Chapman ever was but the point is, she can play that character well and she does it again here.
The real stars of the film (or at least the ones that are given the most interesting things to do) are Adam Scott and Jason Schwartzman. Schwartzman plays up his character's eccentricity and mystery really well. Does he have ulterior motives? What is his end game here? Adam Scott can play the straight man in a comedy quite well. He's a little slow to unwind and reveal himself (literally and figuratively) and it reminds me of his work in Parks and Recreation.
What's really great about the whole cast is, though, they're totally game for anything Patrick Brice's risque and raunchy script throws at them. They're all in and their chemistry with her each other is what makes The Overnight fun to watch.
The characters and their arcs are another big plus for the film. These are some interesting characters! They feel three-dimensional and their problems are relatable. These characters' issues are so intimate that it's hard not to feel something for them. And all of their arcs are excellent. Everyone has come out of this "experience" having learned something and being changed as a person.
I'll throw in briefly how remarkable I thought the film's look was; the neon lighting and dreamy score give the film a very modern and sleek vibe.
These characters are interesting, yes, but one of my problems is they're not given a whole lot of interesting things to do. They take off some clothes, they talk about some of their problems, and then they get very close to doing some naughty things. But without spoiling anything, Brice never goes far enough to create anything very substantial or interesting to say.
The overall effect of the film is slight. I doubt you're going to remember it. It's a lot of banter and stripping and doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. It abandons what it could have said about sexuality and the rote of adulthood in favor of lots of tease and awkward sexual antics that are awkward in the way that they're kind of funny.
The Overnight takes one or two turns that you sort of didn't expect, it has some strong performances, and these characters are really interesting. The problem is, there's not a lot of funny here or anything truly compelling. The actors give you a reason to keep watching but don't expect to remember it.
FINAL GRADE: C+
MPAA RATING: R for strong sexuality, graphic nudity, language and drug use