The Overnight

The Overnight

 (2015)

A Review by Grant Kanigan

Directed by: Patrick Brice

Written by: Patrick Brice

Starring: Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, 

              Jason Schwartzman, Judith Godrèche

Rating: 14A

Release Date: June 26th 2015

Taylor Schilling peers through the looking glass in The Overnight
© Courtesy of Sundance Institute

    Few films have the audacity to take adult themes and approach them openly and intelligently. Bertolucci's strikingly intelligent Last Tango In Paris was a no holds barred, explicit exploration of the nature of love, sex and an existential struggle for self expression through companionship. While Brice's The Overnight is nowhere near the timeless brilliance of Bertolucci's masterpiece, it's freewheeling take on sexuality and gender roles is absolutely hilarious, interesting, and at times groundbreaking. The Overnight is also the best satire of the year. 

     The Overnight follows Alex and Emily, (Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling), as they move across the country to Los Angeles, with their son RJ, (R.J. Hermes). Finding the urban sprawl and liberal atmosphere of LA intimidating, the couple worry that making new friends in the thick of LA will be a difficult task. However, when they bump into the parents of Max, (Max Morritt), Kurt and Charlotte, (Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godrèche), and find themselves invited over for pizza, they begin to understand that LA isn't as unfriendly as it seems.  

     Once the boys have been put to sleep, Kurt and Charlotte break out the wine, the weed and let Alex and Emily know they're open-minded and fun people. Yet, as the night goes on, it becomes increasingly obvious that Kurt and Charlotte have ulterior motives, and through increasingly absurd and explicit scenes, we learn that the 'swing' in their stagger isn't just in reference to their liberal ideas. Kurt and Charlotte are swingers, and Alex and Emily have no idea what they're getting themselves into. 

     A film with such an absurd premise as The Overnight could easily slip into cheap comedy, sexual innuendo and gross out situations. Thankfully, due to whip-smart writing and a talented cast, The Overnight rides the razor-thin line between spoof and seriousness. Ultimately showing the four as narcissistic goofballs, ignorant of the world outside of their weed smoke and alcoholic haze, Brice's script allows for the audience to identify with the four adults' loneliness and longing, while maintaining a distance of absurdity. We wouldn't do the same things as the characters in The Overnight, of course not, they're idiots. Yet, that's the genius of Brice's satire - by making the characters so ignorant, so selfish and so ridiculous, it shows the audience that their own problems are nothing in juxtaposition to the turtlenecked pretentiousness of The Overnight's main cast, yet still allow us to identify with them; it's pitch perfect satire. As well, the final scene of reality bursting in on the four in the form of their children is priceless and fall on the floor funny. 

     While a tight script, (or at least outline), is essential in a film like this, the reason The Overnight works so well is it's talented cast. Adam Scott of Parks and Recreation, Step Brothers and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty fame once again showcases a delightful range, and straight-faced knack for uttering the most ridiculous of lines, (Scott's delivery of a self-obsessed, drunken monologue while floating in a hot-tub is one of the funniest scenes of 2015). Taylor Schilling, relatively inexperienced acting wise, (she only has 8 credits to her name), proves she has talent, and proves that her success on Orange is the New Black wasn't just good luck. Schwartzman, a relative veteran of absurdity and comedy, (his work in Moonrise Kingdom, Bored to Death and The Darjeeling Limited all showcase that he has a unique and entertaining charisma), is once again fantastic in a revealing role. Finally, while I'm not familiar with her work, French actress Judith Godrèche is brilliant as a foil for Schilling's Emily. At just 79 minutes, The Overnight is a quick, perfect storm of talent in front of and behind the camera. 

     Overall, while The Overnight may prove too much for a prudish audience, it's an absolute must for those with an open mind. As well, in comparison to huge budget, ultra-violent thrillers and action films like Transformers, The Avengers or pretty much any show on television today, The Overnight is ridiculously inoffensive. With unadulterated glee, The Overnight is razor sharp satire and an absolutely joyous surprise. 

Grant's Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Adam Scott and Jason Schwartzman in The Overnight: "You've Got a Really Great Look"