Things start off innocently and predictably enough: Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling star as Alex and Emily, an unremarkable couple. They get along with each other just fine, but there’s a spark missing. And the few moments they do find time for each other are interrupted by their son, R.J. (R.J. Hermes).
While in the park one day, they meet Kurt (Jason Schwartzman), an overly nice but kind of pushy gentleman with a hint of arrogance to him. Kurt eagerly invites the three over to his house to have dinner with his wife, Charlotte (Judith Godreche), and son, Max (Max Moritt).
Having recently moved from Seattle to L.A., Alex and Emily don’t have any friends, so they accept.
Kurt and Charlotte are the kooky, free-spirited couple, more open about personal matters like sexuality than Emily and Alex. However, after the kids have fallen asleep, personal barriers come crashing down when the booze and the marijuana are brought out and skinny-dipping is suggested. Kurt and Charlotte’s actions become increasingly bizarre and inappropriate. But one of the pleasures in watching “The Overnight” is how wildly unpredictable it is.
Somehow, Brice manages to blend together the right amount of sheer awkwardness and outrageousness. You’re made so uncomfortable you want to seek refuge underneath your seat, while at the same time you want to stick around to see just how crazy this night can get.
Kurt and Charlotte appear to be locked in a serious game of “How Uncomfortable Can We Make Our Guests,” while Alex and Emily continue to play along for whatever reason.
“The Overnight” demonstrates that creating a successful comedy can be as easy as bringing two couples together for a single night. With one inappropriate violation of personal boundaries after another, Brice gradually peels back the layers of each character and relationship like an onion. The facades of politeness and uneasiness shatter, and our two couples let it all hang loose (very literally at one point). We begin to see the cracks in each marriage form, and startling revelations are made apparent during the film’s conclusion.
“The Overnight” may be small in scope, but a lot happens, and by keeping it within an intimate space, Brice keeps the focus on the characters.
Aside from Brice’s surprisingly intricate script, the success of “The Overnight” lies in the hands of its leads. All four have such effortless, easy-going comedic chemistry, and each brings a surprising amount of nuance to their performances. The strength of the characters, in turn, strengthens the outrageous antics, making them add up to something substantial. By the end, both couples go through major transformations and learn new things about each other for the better…and for the worse.