Being one of Keaton's earliest and most recognised short film, Neighbours is full of passion, fast-paced, frantic and at times even romantically touching. It's innocent, light-hearted and airy, and just about sums up Buster's earliest work, going from slapstick nonsense to refreshing (for the time) character-driven gags that deliver just as well. Sure enough the feature is not without its drawbacks which do hinder the overall pacing and breezy feeling present in the short's best moments. Much like The Balloonatic, the greatest parts here lie in acts one and three, with the middle section giving way to fine moments of zany antics, but with plenty of superfluous additions to boot.
The plot here follows a young man and woman madly in love as they attempt to bring themselves together against their begrudging families. What follows is a piece of hilarious and wild twenty minute entertainment full of laughs and great images. Keaton himself is truly captivating as always, and delivers some of his most inspired and tricky stunts here which do well to thrill and bring up a laugh or two out of the sheer spectacle of what is going on. Throw in a beautiful supporting actress, and a whole host of very vivid personalities backing Buster, plus troublesome trousers, quarrelling families and you have a film that is sure to stick with you, despite its obvious inconsistencies and less successful moments.
For more of my reviews, please visit here: http://www.invocus.net
The plot here follows a young man and woman madly in love as they attempt to bring themselves together against their begrudging families. What follows is a piece of hilarious and wild twenty minute entertainment full of laughs and great images. Keaton himself is truly captivating as always, and delivers some of his most inspired and tricky stunts here which do well to thrill and bring up a laugh or two out of the sheer spectacle of what is going on. Throw in a beautiful supporting actress, and a whole host of very vivid personalities backing Buster, plus troublesome trousers, quarrelling families and you have a film that is sure to stick with you, despite its obvious inconsistencies and less successful moments.
For more of my reviews, please visit here: http://www.invocus.net