Neighbors

Released: December 18th, 1981. Rated R. 94 min.

---

Main Cast:

John Belushi—Earl Keese
Kathryn Walker—Enid Keese
Cathy Moriarty—Ramona
Dan Aykroyd—Vic

Storyline:

Earl, a boring, run-of-the-mill suburbanite, lives with his wife and daughter in a quiet cul-de-sac, until the day that a loud and brash younger couple, Vic and Ramona, move into the empty house next door. Something about the couple does not sit well with Earl, and he begins spying on their antics, trying desperately to prove that they are up to no good. Vic quasi-befriends Earl, while Earl wants nothing to do with him. Through a series of misadventures, full-scale suburban warfare breaks out between the two neighbors, until Earl begins to question his own sanity and the sanity of his own family.

What makes it special?

Another movie of the early-80s SNL comedies, Neighbors is a departure for the star, beloved comedic actor John Belushi, who was known for his outrageously violent characters. In Neighbors, the character of Earl is as straight as they come, constantly befuddled by the world around him that is changing right before his eyes. This is another one of those movies that trends toward the Black Comedy era of SNL films, and one that does not get a lot of repeat viewing today. Dan Akroyd's character, Vic, does an exceptional job of being the most brazen, outrageous neighbor that could move next door, constantly bothersome and elusive.