'The Invitation' is fun, chaotic and intoxicating, as a good dinner party should be; g1 already seen

'The Invitation' shows a dinner between a couple in crisis (Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen) and their liberal neighbors (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton)
Disclosure
There are social situations that are a comedy film, while others are drama and suspense. "The Invitation" assumes that some dinners are all of these things at the same time.
The film, which premieres on June 9th in Brazilian cinemas, is an adaptation of the Spanish film "Sentimental" (2020). In this version, it shows Angela (Olivia Wilde, who also directs) and Joe (Seth Rogen), a couple in a failed relationship, at a dinner with their liberal neighbors (Piña and Hawk, played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton) - and, apparently, very well resolved sexually.
"We love tension," says Hawk when greeted by the host couple, as a wink to viewers. Because from then on, the tension turns... more tension (social? sexual?), some jokes, crying and frantic dialogues.
The actors are great here, very well cast in their respective roles. In fact, they are so comfortable in their characters that, in many moments, they seem to be improvising.
Penelope and Edward revel in the roles of the eccentric neighbors, while Olivia and Seth perfectly play a neurotic and a sarcastic depression. (Don't be surprised if, from the poster to the dialogue, you remember a little of Woody Allen's comedies.)
Penélope Cruz (Piña) and Olivia Wilde (Angela) in 'The Invitation'
Reproduction
This is a film that essentially takes place inside a house, that is, there are not many temporal resources, scene changes or effects to entertain the viewer. Almost everything depends on the script by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, which carries the plot on its shoulders and - most of the time - does so naturally.
Wilde's direction also handles the dynamics between the characters well, who attract and repel each other throughout the night. You find yourself immersed in an often intense dinner, which rarely loses pace and keeps you curious until the end.
It's not so much the outcome that attracts, but how the interactions unfold: will they fight more? What will the unpredictable neighbors say next? Is there a climate going on here? With the help of the present score by Dev Hynes (Blood Orange), composed mainly of cello strings, even the most "common" lines take on suspenseful tones.
Fun, just not that deep
"The Convite" balances the clowning well and avoids becoming caricatured (and it mostly succeeds, except for a few scenes at the very end). But despite being effective in comedy, it's not as strong when it tries to be deeper.
There is a delicacy in the script when talking about relationships, marriage and the guilt that each person has in this equation. It's just a little difficult to connect with the characters - especially because, for a large part of the film, the fun is that they're a little boring. (Seth Rogen's character especially.)
Edward Norton (Hawk) and Penélope Cruz (Piña) in 'The Dinner'
Reproduction/YouTube
Furthermore, from the middle to the end, the film ends up taking somewhat predictable paths and is less daring than it promises. But on the other hand, there's still a little something for everyone to identify with.
These are details, of course. Because for those who want a comedy that hits the spot, "O Convite" is a good choice. The film is what a good dinner should be: fun, chaotic and a little intoxicating.

Art/g1

Source: G1