Olivia Wilde's latest directorial effort, "The Invite," is being hailed as a "wild sex comedy" and an "orgy of mischievous fun." The film, co-written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, has been praised for its smart writing and a strong cast of four, including Wilde herself, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penelope Cruz.
"The Invite" unfolds over the course of an evening, centering on Angela (Wilde) and Joe (Rogen), a couple whose 12-year marriage has become a source of constant bickering. Their daughter is away for a sleepover when Angela invites their upstairs neighbors, Pina (Cruz) and Hawk (Norton), for dinner. Joe is taken aback by the invitation, particularly given the disruptive noise from the neighbors' late-night activities.
The dinner itself proves to be an awkward affair. Tensions rise due to forgotten dietary restrictions and social missteps. Pina, a professional sexologist, and Hawk, who is a year into a new relationship following his wife's death, offer a stark contrast to Angela and Joe's joyless dynamic. The film also touches on the couple's past happiness, which was once filled with music and fun.
As the evening progresses, the upstairs neighbors' frequent and noisy sex life, which sometimes involves others, sparks intrigue in Joe and Angela. The film audaciously tackles the notion of the couple potentially participating, with Joe's disbelieving "Me too?" serving as a "gloriously mischievous and subversive reference to the hashtag movement." The suggestion of partner swapping further complicates the evening.
Despite its potentially provocative premise, "The Invite" is described as more profound than a mere update of "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." Critics note its genuinely insightful look into the human and marital condition. The film marks another directorial success for Wilde, whose previous work includes the acclaimed coming-of-age comedy "Booksmart."