The Overnight

*

Reviewed by: Angus Wolfe Murray

Alex, Emily, and their son, RJ, are new to Los Angeles. A chance meeting at the park introduces them to the mysterious Kurt, Charlotte, and Max. A family "playdate" becomes increasingly interesting as the night goes on.
"Resembles the first 15 minutes of a porn flick" | Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute

A nice couple with sexual problems and a four-year-old son arrive in LA knowing no one and meet a cool couple with sexual problems and a five-year-old son in the park. What follows is a slow seduction into the dark arts of "nothing we haven't tried."

The emphasis is on slow. The kids are shipped off to bed early. Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) who has invited Alex (Adam Scott) and Emily (Taylor Schilling) to dinner at his palatial pad where his wife (Judith Godreche) of 10 years appears sophisticated and welcoming, uses charm, weed and alcohol to break down the inhibitions of his guests.

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The idea is obvious and resembles the first 15 minutes of a porn flick. The hook, if that is the right word, concerns Alex's obsession with the size of his penis. As exposed in the skinny dipping scene at the pool Kurt has a whopper which makes Alex feel even more inadequate.

After reassuring words of encouragement from Kurt, who seems more interested in his new friend than his new friend's wife, Alex lets loose a stoner classic: "I feel I just gave birth to myself." How far, man? How far out is that?

Films like this, made for nuts, give the indy genre a bad name. The sexual innuendos, the touchy feely no go areas, the squirmaroid underlying mood of anything goes as long as it ends with mutual masturbation will turn a regular moviegoer puce with embarrassment.

You could say that's the point. Expose the uptight and the repressed! Open your robe to new experiences! Don't let the morality of Old Testament dictats ruin your pleasure.

California dreamin'? More like a nightmare.

Reviewed on: 24 Jun 2015
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The Overnight packshot
Young couple, new to L.A, are seduced by cool couple who enjoy sexual experimentation
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Director: Patrick Brice

Writer: Patrick Brice

Starring: Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman, Judith Godrèche

Year: 2015

Runtime: 80 minutes

BBFC: 15 - Age Restricted

Country: US


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