It’s an around the clock comedy with an abundance of laughs. It’s situational with a dash of slap-stick, it’s wholeheartedly a comedy until it isn’t. Directed by Olivia Wilde, this film is a remake of the comedy hit “The Neighbors Upstairs” from Spain.  It focuses on two couples whose lives and relationships are going in different directions. Downstairs couple Joe and Angela are on the downslope and the upstairs couple Pina and Hawk are upslope-see how that works. Shown at 2026 Sundance Film Festival the film was picked by A24. It is the funniest film of the year so far with not much competition. 

  The film was written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones-who were co-producers of Will’s film “If Anything Happens I love You.” Although I have not seen the original film-to judge how much was lifted from it-this script is where it shines the most. That doesn’t take away from the performances- each four of them are rightly casted and get the right amount of individual time to shine-but it’s the script. It’s the writing. WIth that in hand the editing should be noted as absolutely terrific. It seems Wilde as a director came to cherish and understand the importance of great editing since her last two films were struggling with pacing and choppy cuts. The editing in this is smooth and unnoticeable. The story emits an overt inspiration from films by Neil Simon and Billy Wilder. I couldn’t help thinking that if this film was made in the late sixties it would starred Jack Lemmon & Ann Bancroft with Tony Curtis with Sofia Loren. It’s outright hilarious and brings a light tone of an off-beat  to its more serious theme. None of this couple are compatible and all are self-serving. 

Each character is massively flawed and each character are not being honest with themselves. The downstairs couple are going through the motions of being married and the upstairs couple are going through arrangements of being married. Both couples’ relationships are shallow and began on impulse- but more devious is that each person faults the other and never themselves for where they are now. 

It’s worth a rewatch, and to see with other couples. There is more going on than just what is  at the surface. Relationships are work-even with your neighbors. Some choose not to do the work and be alone, and some-while even in a relationship chooses not to do the work. This film presents the repercussions of not doing the work. There’s also an underlying subtext of loneliness for all four of them that is so delicately played it is easy to miss.

It’s all about the ending and this film has the right ending for what it is. It’s clever and tip-toes around being pretentious. There is a sense of palpability and authenticity to it. If your friends invite to see-I strongly recommend you to take the other. 8.5/10