Review of Your Friends & Neighbors (1998) by Megan O — 30 Apr 2005

Director: Neil LaBute.

Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Brenneman, Aaron Eckhart, Catherine Keener.

3.5 stars out of 4.

Neil LaBute's films fascinate me (except for [i]Possesion[/i]). This film is no exception. It proved to be a much more successful exploration of the masochistic nature of relationships than many of its successors, such as [i]We Don't Live Here Any More[/i], or the horrendous [i]Closer[/i]. Ekhart's performance was outstanding, as is always the case when he works with LaBute (again, except for [i]Possesion[/i]). LaBute's dark and minimalist style is addictive, working in perfect compliment to his also addictive predjudice for disturbing plot-twists.