Synopsis
Bad Neighbors, also known simply as Neighbors, is a 2014 American film featuring a comedy plot, which Nicholas Stroller, well known for Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek, directed. Slapstick and raunchy humor with a hint of emotional warmth is blended in to help narrate the tale of a young couple and a fraternity house that turns their calm suburban life to chaos.
A plot revolves around a new suburban couple Mac and Kelly Radner, impersonated by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne, in their thirties, who moved into a house in the calm neighborhood together with their new born baby, Stella. A couple that in the very new future was supposed to embrace their new parenting life, and now had to let go of their youthful and wild lifestyles.
Their semi-stable lives are turned upside down when Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) and his crew Pete (Dave Franco) roll into town and rent the house next door to them. The house is infested by rowdy members and reckless parties of the infamous Delta Psi Beta Fraternity. It is also the same frat that is infamous for throwing the wildest parties that would ensure them a spot with the greats in the Delta Psi Hall of Fame.
In the beginning, Mac and Kelly attempt to engage with the Delta Psi Beta members by attending one of their parties, getting high and, and partaking in youthful antics, easing the ethos gap. However, Mac and Kelly’s attempt to gain access to the wild partiers backfires. After a few days of the brothers blasting acts of chaos that were in no way, shape, or form close to normal, Teddy answering their calls turned out to be fruitless, thus forcing them to involve the police. It is safe to say that their truce is in the long run, and that is the moment Teddy declares war.
The aftermath showcases a growing set of pranks, sabotage, and retaliations between the young parents and the immature college boys. The Radners come up with very detailed and complex plans just to get the fraternity unted, while Teddy and his pack retaliate with crazy stunts, such as flooding the Radners’ basement, airbag and rumor traps at Kelly’s workplace.
Along with the chaos of stunts and counter stunts, other themes arise. It is revealed that Teddy is unsure of his life after college as his plans seem to center around avoiding responsibility and just partying. ‘On the other hand, Pete is shown to be more grounded and start to distance himself from the fraternity, causing tensions between the two,’ which is also on the other side of the character spectrum. Lastly, Mac and Kelly start to wonder if they truly are ready to face the modern world and if they have been domesticated.
The final clash of the two sides centers on the Radners having a final plot to stop the fraternity’s main party by hacking the city codes and activating the school’s disciplinary board. After the final police raid and other comical chaos, the boys are banned from the school and Teddy is now left to deal with the consequences of life after college.
The movie finishes on a sweet and sour note. Teddy now works as a shirtless model for Abercrombie and Fitch, while Mac and Kelly have accepted their parental role as true parents without the need to prove their coolness. Even with the fighting, Teddy and Mac have a hint of deep respect for each other as they have both matured.
Main Cast
Seth Rogen as Mac Radner
Seth Rogen brought to life the character of Mac Radner with a blend of charm and odd humor, portraying a father who was losing touch with his youthful identity as he transitioned to fatherhood.
Rose Byrne as Kelly Radner
Rose Byrne brought to life Kelly Radner, the wife of Mac Radner. Kelly is portrayed as a nagging wife, but s a partner to the revenge plans against their neighbors. Byrne was praised for bringing depth to the “wife” character in a male-dominated comedy.
Dave Franco as Pete Regazolli
Franco gives a more nuanced performance as Teddy’s best friend, the smart one of the group who starts to understand that the frat life is not sustainable.
Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jerrod Carmichael, and Craig Roberts appear as other frat members, each adding their unique brand of humor.
Kudrow Lisa is a college dean who counters the madness with brilliant bureaucratic humor.
Crew
Director Nicholas Stoller
Stoller has a reputation for heartfelt, outrageous comedies, and he directs with a strong, flexible hand, allowing for improvisation without sacrificing narrative drive.
Writers Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O’Brien
“Slapstick comedy blended with introspection, this is a film that has a sharp, witty and memorable one-liner packed script.”
Producers Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver
With Rogen and Goldberg also producing, the film fits squarely into their brand of adult comedies, outrageous, but oddly heartfelt.
Cinematography Brandon Trost
The contrasting worlds of suburbia and frat life are starkly divided, enhancing the neon madness of the parties and suburban realism.
IMDb Rating and Critical Reception
“At this moment, Neighbors is rated 6.3 out of 10 on IMDb, and has received mostly positive reviews from audiences and critics.”
Audience Reception and Note Worthy Observations:
The movie performed exceptionally well at the box office, earning over $270 million worldwide, while the budget stood between $18 million. Most viewers were satisfied with the raunchy humor and emotional aspects of the movie. Most importantly, the lead characters pulled off the roles well. Rogen and Byrne’s chemistry was captivating, and so was Zac Efron’s switch to adult comedy.
Many viewers noted the approach the film took with gender roles, particularly with the character of Rose Byrne who actively participated in the raucous alongside her husband. This departure from standard gender roles was quite refreshing.
Criticism and Reviews:
Critics further emphasized the film’s ability to tackle topical issues in a light-hearted comedic way, with one reviewer stating the movie was, “funny and fast-paced, smarter than one might expect.” The film did well for emotional aspects of the plot, which served as a foundation with a blend of humor. The decision to feature older couples, along with the college students, as both emotionally and physically vulnerable added a more holistic component to the story.
Critics did suggest the film could have toned down the use of vulgar comedy, though it did blend celebratory humor with sincere issues of life changes, the concept of identity, and accountability.
Final thoughts
Neighbors isn’t simply a party comedy; it’s a cleverly woven film that showcases the youthful freedom and carelessness juxtaposed with the responsibility of adulthood. It features the familiar and fearsome experience of the transition into adulthood with hilarious performances brought to life by Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and Zac Efron.
In my opinion, the most impactful moments in the film explore the feeling of nostalgia and loss. While cited parody and excessive partying is present, it also highlights the more sombre and quieter themes of growing up and moving on. With its broad and relatable themes, neigbors delivers its comedic punch effectively regardless of age — be it a new parent, a college student, or anywhere in between.
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