The Invite, which was recently released in cinemas, is set entirely inside one house and revolves around just four characters. What begins as a simple get-together soon spirals into something far more chaotic. There have been films of this kind in the past like Carnage, Bheja Fry etc. The Invite follows the same template but the material is different and that adds to the fun and madness. The second half is unexpected. Moreover, the film is shot on 35mm, and it gives the film a distinct look. On the flipside, the emotional turn in the pre-climax, though lovely, seems forced. There’s a sudden shift in the tonality, which is unsettling. Another major issue lies with the film’s Indian distributor, PVR INOX Pictures, which has released it without subtitles. Moreover, the ‘smoking, drinking and drug consumption are injurious to health’ ticker remains on the screen from start to finish, even though the characters indulge in these activities during only around 40% of the runtime. Believe it or not, the warning appears during the production-house logos and continues even through the end credits! Seth Rogen is aptly cast and speaks a lot through his silences as well. Penélope Cruz is a powerhouse performer, as expected, and is superb in the third act, especially. Edward Norton is dependable. Olivia Wilde impresses as the director but as an actor, she goes overboard in some scenes. All in all, The Invite is worth watching for its crazy concept.
My rating – *** ½ out of 5!