Neighbors * (1981, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cathy Moriarty, Kathryn Walker) – Classic Movie Review 6475

The Blues Brothers stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd team up again for director John G Avildsen’s surprisingly feebly written (by the talented screenplay writer Larry Gelbart) 1981 movie tale of suburban discord and the neighbours from hell.

It gives Belushi and Aykroyd the chance to reverse their usual roles, with Belushi playing the regular straight-arrow suburban family man and Aykroyd the wild family man who moves in next door and turns his life upside down.

Belushi plays Earl Keese, a quiet, home-loving kind of guy living happily in the ‘burbs with his wife Enid (Kathryn Walker) when obnoxiously nutty neighbours Vic and Ramona (Aykroyd and Cathy Moriarty) move in next door.

Alas it is a one-joke film that leads nowhere very much despite the frantic efforts of the talented stars. The suburban domestic material is all a bit mild for the extravagant performers.

It is an adult comedy with strong language that may be cut on TV.

Gelbart’s screenplay is based on Thomas Berger’s popular novel.

It was made just before Belushi died on 5 March 1982, aged only 33.

Also in the cast are Igors Gavon, Dru-Ann Chukran, P L Brown, Lauren-Marie Taylor and Tim Kazurinsky.

It is shot by Gerald Hirschfeld, produced by Richard Zanuck and David Brown, scored by Bill Conti and designed by Peter Larkin.

Belushi appeared in Steven Spielberg’s financial flop 1941 (1979).

Belushi and Aykroyd also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s financial flop 1941 (1979).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6475

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