Ari Howorth ’18 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling in The Overnight. Photo Credit: The Orchard
Simple absurdity is hard to achieve. Often do films find themselves plagued by eccentric characters that lead the film into outrageous situations that soon become simply alienating to the viewer. Conversely, utilizing odd or unique characters to introduce absurdity within the confines of a simple and relatable narrative takes true skill. That is exactly what occurs in Patrick Brice’s The Overnight. The film effectively uses its unconventional characters to work ludicrous situations into an otherwise compelling narrative. While it balances on the edge of succumbing to left field, it maintains its maturity and finds itself very poignant throughout.
The film details a single night between two couples; one (Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling) are eager to take on the peculiar customs of their new home in Los Angeles, and the other (Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godreche) is just the hip, open-minded, and bizarre couple to introduce these to them. What ensues is a rip-roaringly hilarious night consisting of binge drinking, sexual discovery, and penis envy. All this occurring while their children sleep soundly upstairs. Taylor Schilling in The Overnight. Photo Credit: The Orchard
The chemistry both between and amongst the couples is the anchor of the film. We deeply feel the love present as well as the frustration between couples having just left the “honeymoon phase” of marriage. That said, it is Schwartzman’s charisma with each line that brings the audience to fits of laughter. He brings a very real sense of cultured ridiculousness to an ultimately moving film. Overall Grade: B+ The Independent Film Festival of Boston runs through April 29th. Visit iffboston.org for more information.
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