Really Surprised!

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

I became acquainted with Neighbors through Bob Woodward's controversial 'Wired: The Short Life And Fast Times of John Belushi' (in turn, I read a review of Wired in the long defunct lads mad Loaded!). Anyway, regardless of the disputed accounts and allegations of inaccuracies, I finally got to see Neighbors in the early days of the newly launched UK TV station Channel 5 (itself no stranger to scandal thoroughout the Nineties - due to a schedule of football, films and fornication).Almost from its inception Neighbors was affected by every sort of problem that could conceivably affect a movie; I have no intention of rehashing these, but I will say that Neighbors is a strangely compelling comedy; John Belushi is quite effective as frustrated, ineffectual, conservative surburbanite Earl Kesse, whose steady life rapidly unravels under the relentless psychological and emtotional assault (temptation?) from his provocative new neighbours Vic and Ramona, both played with an obvious relish by Dan Ackroyd and Cathy Moriarity (the decision by Belushi and Ackroyd to switch roles was the project's shrewdest move) ; there are good turns from Kathryn Walker and Lauren - Marie Taylor as Belushi's repective wife and daughter.Contemporary audiences were left frustrated with Neighbors - instead of Animal House or 1941, they got a black comedy of suburban life that doesn't quite work despite the best efforts of its cast. Whilst I though John Alvidsen did not a bad job, given the circumstances, perhaps a sharper script,less studio interference and a more suitable director might have gotten something closer to Gelbert's dark, caustic satire on middle American life. The endless fights and backstabbing took a toll on the finished product.A final point, as a comparison with Sid Vicious, was by Alex Cox in his book 'X Films: True Confessions of A Radical Filmmaker' that struck a cord with this reviewer; no one disputes that John Belushi's on set behaviour, fuelled by a serious cocaine addiction, which would tragically kill him months later, was outrageous; yet his lobbying for a soundtrack by punk band Fear perhaps showed a better instinct for the film than the studio professionals around him - not that we will ever know.

A quiet man (John Belushi)'s peaceful suburban lifestyle is threatened by the new, obnoxious couple that moves in next door.I feel like this was a precursor to "The Burbs". Not as funny, definitely not as weird, but some of the same concepts about the horrors of the suburbs. John Belushi excels here because he is given an opportunity to be the normal guy rather than the "wild and crazy one". Aykroyd is okay, though this is far from his best.And Cathy Moriarty? I still have to wonder how she never got any bigger. She seemed to start off so strong, fade away, briefly come back for "Casper" and then... where did she go? Cathy, we need more movies with you, please.

John was such a great actor on this, I'm really devastated that he is not with us today and didn't do more movies. I really liked his role as a serious quiet guy who is easily irritated by the neighbors next door. Believe me, I'm pretty sure we all have those types of people living next door to us haha!It was so odd to see Dan Aykroyd with Blondish hair. I'm normally use to seeing him always with brown hair in most of his films. I kinda did figure out that he had blue contacts instead of his usual brown eyes. They were stronger when he was talking on the phone. I say they hurt!Cathy Moriarty was such a blonde bombshell in this film. She looked like a sexy Grace Kelly trying to get at John Belushi's character. They should've been in bed together and I wanted this right from the start! I love this movie, I wish that Belushi and Akyroyd would do more if Belushi didn't unfortunately too soon. They were such a great team and they will always be the Blues Brothers that I always look up to!RIP Belushi <3 <3 <3

NEIGHBORS is directed by John G. Avildsen and based loosely on a novel by Thomas Berger. This will be John Belushi's last movie before his untimely death. And he gets to share the screen with Saturday Night Live pal Dan Aykroyd.Earl Keese(Belushi)lives a quiet, close to mundane life with his wife, Enid(Kathryn Walker)and their daughter, Elaine(Lauren-Marie Taylor). More or less happy. Earl's whole routine in his quiet and calm neighborhood is in for a major disruption when loud, obnoxious and freeloading Vic(Aykroyd)and his sexpot wife, Ramona(Cathy Moriarty)buy the house next door. Go ahead and accept it; there goes the neighborhood. The Keese family minding their p's and q's, while the suburb disintegrates before their very eyes. Ramona and Vic invite the neighbors over what turns out to be a bizarre dinner date straight from crazy town. Earl will be forced to scheme a way to get rid of the over-the-top couple. The movie lingers on and begins to peter-out! Belushi didn't seem to be 100% Belushi. Aykrod dyed-blonde? But Miss Moriarty made the best of her movie debut...Wow! Also in the cast: Igors Gavin and Dru-Ann Chuckran. A couple of great tunes were featured: "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors and "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees.