The Invite

The performances are impeccable, the characters impossibly well balanced. Wilde the film-maker is unimpeachable here.

Issues millions of people face everyday are addressed cleverly and poignantly, and never without a hint of humor. Wilde isn’t really interested in sentimentality, either, and her movie hits harder for it.

It feels daring for how it wants to actually examine the emotional costs of contemporary grown-up life, bringing wincing laughs of recognition.

You may guess where this situation is headed, but not what happens when it gets there. The more The Invite settles, the more Rogen’s rendition of the furious, defeated, pathetic Joe steals the show.

This is a real return to form from Wilde, who finds her Booksmart groove again after the misstep of Don’t Worry Darling. Cue it up and get the neighbours round. Or not.

Wilde directs the cast well and keeps the pace as quick as the screenplay’s wit.

Wilde toils feverishly to create the illusion of momentum and communicates to the audience that they must be feeling such a sensation. But for all the belabored artistry of this choppily cut enterprise, little in “The Invite” actually moves. It’s potential energy, unconvincingly trying to pass itself off as kinetic.

This film is made with real love and care. It shows in every frame with its impressive blocking, great acting from all actors, wonderful phasing, every jokes and emotions landing well with the audience...just wow. Olivia Wilde is a great director. I hope she doesn't stop creating films.

Whilst it is an absurd-idea movie (because Norton-Cruz wouldn’t invite Rogen to anything), it has it’s moments. Deep ones. Ones which sit with folks with some mileage. And on the other side it plainly shows that Rogen never was and never will be an actor. His persona is the same in every picture, how it feels only depends on how well he is suited for the particular movie. The same can be said, but with a bit more of tenderness, for Cruz. But damn me. It’s good to see Ed Norton back. Brilliant. Wilde? On the same page.

Rogan was very funny however this movie was not really a comedy. Ed Norton is fantastic as usual but he couldn’t carry the lift required to make this a good movie. It was too long and at the end you walk away feeling like you just can’t 2 hours to come away with nothing.

WOW! That was an interesting 'experience'. Hard to believe I would sit and watch 4 incredibly unlikable people for 2 hours. Summary: Pretentious at every level. Dishonest and completely non-genuine. The dialogue is false/fake/a writer's wet dream/forced and did I say dishonest? Seth Rogen is - well he's Seth Rogen... perhaps a genuine actor could have made this more watchable but - uh - no - he's - well - he's just Seth Rogen... and that isn't good. His 'act' is very tiring... Ed Norton is good but his character is completely unrealistic and unworthy of any screen time. Penelope Cruz - well - I just couldn't stop thinking that they are trying to hide that she isn't hot anymore... or perhaps - just trying too hard to convince us she still is. I never realized before that she isn't much of an actress - because - well - she USED to be attractive and that masked her poor acting. Olivia Wilde - seems like she just attended a workshop on how to be - well - her character. Again - not an honest moment from her character. I see she directed this... so that is good to know so I stay away from her shows. I really can't put into words how awful this movie is at every level... though back to 'pretentious'... that word works but doesn't go far enough.

I was so disappointed. I could “see” everyone acting and kept me from getting immersed.