[31 Days of Halloween 2016: THE GOOD NEIGHBOR now on VOD.]
Review by Bob Ignizio
Taking its cue from William Castle's 1965 thriller I SAW WHAT YOU DID, THE GOOD NEIGHBOR presents yet another
tale of a teenage prank gone bad. It's not a remake or rip-off, mind you, but
there's no denying a spiritual connection between the films.
The story begins with Ethan (Logan Miller) and Sean (Keir
Gilchrist) relating their plan to convince their reclusive neighbor Harold
(James Caan) that his house is haunted, recording the entire process on hidden
cameras. Of course they first have to break into the guy's house and plant the equipment.
Did I mention this was also for a school project? The kids may be computer and
tech savvy, but they clearly weren't using their heads to think through the
possible legal ramifications.
Nonetheless, the kids do manage to get things set up. But no
matter how much they escalate the fake haunting, Harold seems to take it all in
stride. Ethan in particular is bothered by the lack of response, and eventually
we learn that his reasons for targeting his neighbor are more personal than
just his reputation as a creepy old man.
It also becomes evident early on that we're seeing Ethan and
Sean's prank in flashback. In the present, a trial is taking place, evidently precipitated
by the prank. But we aren't sure at first whether it's Harold on trial, or Ethan
and Sean. Nor do we know what crime was committed. We do get our answers
eventually, but things take an unexpected twist before all the loose ends are
wrapped up.
On paper, the plot of THE
GOOD NEIGHBOR is a smart, reasonably well written mystery/suspense yarn.
The cast is good, too, with Caan in particular doing quite a lot with almost no
lines. Unfortunately, Kasra Farahani's direction is flat and unengaging, never
raising our heart rates or rousing us to move to the edge of our seats. Outside
of an extended scene that takes place at a Halloween party, this feels more
like an episode of 'Law and Order' than
the sort of thriller you'd release in the fall to target thrill and chill
seeking audiences. 2 out of 4 stars.
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