Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite’ Offers a Thoughtful Look at Dinner Parties, Relationships, and Modern Marriage
For her directorial debut at Sundance, Olivia Wilde has made a notable entrance with the world premiere of The Invite, a film that combines wit with heartfelt emotion.
In this English-language remake of Cesc Gay’s Spanish film, The People Upstairs (2020), Wilde stars alongside Seth Rogen as a married couple navigating the complexities of their relationship in San Francisco. Their characters, stay-at-home mom Angela and music teacher Joe, engage in clever banter that sets the foundation for their long-standing but strained marriage.
After a difficult day, Joe returns home to find Angie preparing for an upscale dinner with their upstairs neighbors. While Angie is captivated by the chic sex therapist Pina, portrayed by Penélope Cruz, Joe grapples with the overzealous friendliness of retired firefighter Hawk, played by Edward Norton. Tensions arise as the evening unfolds, prompting the four characters to engage in candid discussions about their relationships and sexuality.
Wilde and Rogen exhibit impressive comedic timing, capturing the nuances of a couple whose connection still flickers beneath the surface. Their chemistry is often reminiscent of a tennis match marked by passive-aggressive exchanges, a dynamic that Wilde effectively utilizes to heighten the evening’s tension. Meanwhile, Norton and Cruz provide a refreshing counterbalance with their bold and humorous approach to intimacy, pushing their dinner companions to confront uncomfortable truths.
The film boldly examines the intricacies of love and relationships, depicting how a seemingly mundane dinner can unravel a couple’s marriage while also offering the possibility for reconciliation.
Adam Newport-Berra’s cinematography stands out, transforming ordinary settings into visually captivating scenes that evoke nostalgia and intimacy, inviting audiences to ponder the characters’ inner lives.
Following the mixed reception of her previous film, Don’t Worry Darling, Wilde’s latest effort addresses similar themes of connection and self-worth, albeit on what appears to be a more modest budget. Dedicated to Diane Keaton, The Invite resonates with the complexities of love and relationships that Keaton has explored in her own acclaimed works.
Producers of the film include David Permut, Ben Browning, and Megan Ellison, while the executive producing team features Saul Germaine, Patrick Chu, Shayne Fiske Goldner, Glen Basner, Andy Kim, Alex G. Scott, and Alex Astrachan.
Title: The Invite
Festival: Sundance (Premiering)
Director: Olivia Wilde
Screenwriters: Will McCormack and Rashida Jones
Cast: Seth Rogen, Olivia Wilde, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton
Sales Agent: UTA Independent Film Group & FilmNation
Running Time: 1 hr 47 min
