The Invite: A Most Unusual Dinner Party!

If you are in the mood for a movie about marriage with plenty of laughs, as well as considerable depth, don't miss "The Invite."  This film has only four actors and they are all excellent, for which the Director, Olivia Wilde, deserves some props.  The film may not last long at the theater, so I'd put it on my "to rent list" if you can't catch it over the next week or two. Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) have been married for many years and have a 12-year-old daughter; however, their marriage doesn't seem to be going well.  Joe, once a promising keyboards player in a band, is now teaching music at a non-prestigious music conservatory.  Angela has some artistic talent, but isn't doing anything with it.  Joe comes home from work and learns that Angela has invited the upstairs neighbors that night for dinner.  Angela has recently renovated their apartment, and the neighbors would like to see what they did.  Their daughter is at a friend's house for a sleep-over, so it's a good night for them to entertain.  The neighbors will be arriving in a few minutes.  Joe hates the upstairs couple because they have been waking them up on most nights due to their wild, over-the-top, noisy sexual escapades.  Joe is also angry that Angela never discussed this event with him, while she claims that she did, but that, as usual, he wasn't listening to her.  Their vibes couldn't be much worse when the neighbors ring the doorbell. After the couple arrive, Joe starts launching all sorts of insults at them, most delivered dead-pan.  (Rogen is incredibly funny.  I think he's an underrated comedic actor). We learn after a while that Hawk (Edward Norton) and Pina (Penelope Cruz) have been together for about a year.  They invite couples over and they have sex with the guests.  Hawk and Pina, however, have set a very high bar for who they allow as sexual partners.  Over time, Joe warms up to the couple as it becomes clear that Joe and Angela have met Pina's and Hawk's high standards and the four of them might have some type of sexual encounter.  As time progresses, each of the characters start opening up about themselves and their relationship with their partner.  The film can "swing" from lighthearted slap-stick to profound insights about oneself and relationships in a few moments. This film is hybrid of "Bob & Carol, Ted & Alice" (1969), "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (1966), and "Knocked-Up" (2007).  Robin and I really liked it a lot, and it's in my Top 10 for 2026, at least as of now. If you're married and have an adventurous spirit, why not rent the movie, invite an attractive couple over for dinner to watch the film with you, and who knows where it might lead?!