We probably all know people like those featured in "Your Friends & Neighbors." Although, it's just as likely that we wish we didn't.
Not to say that the characters featured in this warts-and-all sex comedy, filmmaker Neil LaBute's followup to the controversial "In the Company of Men," are completely unlikable. But their behavior is so reprehensible, yet so typically human, that they — and the movie — are almost excruciating to watch.
In spite of that, however, the film is almost as hard to resist, thanks to LaBute's fascinatingly blunt dialogue and several standout performances — especially Jason Patric (who also co-produced the movie), as an unrepentant and cruelly truthful lothario.
(However, the movie does contain some vividly realistic simulated sex and graphically vulgar, in-depth sexual discussions that could chase a lot of audience-members away.)
Like "In the Company of Men," the film is more akin to a stage play or a series of dialogues than it is a narrative feature film. The extremely dark comedy follows six characters as they talk about sex or have sex with each other.
Mary (Amy Brenneman) and Barry (Aaron Eckhart, from "The Company of Men"), who seem to be happily married, are unsatisfied sexually — a dilemma that live-in lovers Terri (Catherine Keener) and Jerry (Ben Stiller) also face.
Things get so bad between the latter duo that they begin sneaking around each other's backs. She begins a tentative relationship with a flirtatious, would-be artist, Cheri (Nastassja Kinski). Worse, Jerry starts carrying on a clandestine affair with Mary.
Meanwhile, the clueless Barry has found a confidant in Cary (Patric), a seemingly heartless physician whose love-'em-and-leave-'em attitude has him envious.
Were these situations written by another, less-talented scripter, it would be obvious where the story is going. But LaBute continually pulls the rug out from under the hapless characters, as well as audience expectations.
He also shows more technical skill as a filmmaker here than he did with his first movie, especially in terms of creating visual images. And the decision to include the off-kilter songs of Apocalyptica (a string quartet that performs instrumental versions of Metallica's music) on the soundtrack is nothing short of inspired.
Of course, the whole thing might never have worked without the extremely talented cast. All the performances are excellent, especially Patric, Stiller (in a particularly weaselly turn) and Brenneman as the film's most sympathetic character.
"Your Friends & Neighbors" is rated R for profanity, graphic sex talk and use of vulgar slang, simulated sex and brief nudity (including glimpses of some nude artwork).