Duplex
Released on Fri, September 26, 2003
"Duplex," released in 2003, is a dark comedy directed by Danny DeVito that centers around the trials and tribulations of Alex and Nancy, a young and ambitious couple deeply in love and eager to embark on their future together. They are both aspiring writers with a passion for creating and building a life filled with shared experiences. Their biggest aspiration, however, lies in finding the perfect home: a place to settle down, nurture their creativity, and potentially start a family.
Their dream seemingly comes true when they discover a charming brownstone in a quiet Brooklyn neighborhood. The catch? The building is a duplex, and they'll have to share it with an elderly woman named Mrs. Connelly, who resides in the upstairs apartment. They are completely enamored with the building, they just need to figure out if they can handle the situation with the upstairs neighbor. Lured by the seemingly unbeatable price and the building's classic charm, they quickly brush aside any potential concerns and decide to take the plunge.
What Alex and Nancy didn't anticipate was the utter chaos that would be unleashed upon them by their seemingly harmless upstairs neighbor. The initial impression of Mrs. Connelly as a frail and kindly old woman quickly crumbles as they begin to experience a barrage of unsettling events. She is the living antithesis of a good neighbor.
The once-idyllic brownstone soon becomes a battleground of escalating annoyances. Mrs. Connelly's seemingly innocent habits, such as playing the television at deafening volumes at all hours of the night, holding impromptu tap-dancing sessions, and inviting a constant stream of disruptive "friends" over, begin to drive Alex and Nancy to the brink of insanity. The couple's once harmonious relationship begins to fray under the relentless pressure, and their creative endeavors grind to a halt as they struggle to cope with the constant disruptions.
Desperate to reclaim their peace and sanity, Alex and Nancy try everything in their power to reason with Mrs. Connelly. They attempt polite requests, heartfelt pleas, and even passive-aggressive tactics, all to no avail. With each failed attempt, their frustration mounts, and their desperation intensifies, leading them down a path of increasingly outlandish and morally questionable schemes.
The film takes a dark and comedic turn as the couple's frustration reaches its breaking point. "Duplex" explores the humorous, yet often disturbing, consequences of unchecked neighborly disputes and the lengths to which people will go to protect their homes and their sanity. It's a cautionary tale wrapped in a comedic package, leaving audiences to question the boundaries of civility and the true cost of achieving the American dream.
Amber Valletta
as Céline
Eileen Essell
as Mrs. Connelly
Harvey Fierstein
as Kenneth
Justin Theroux
as Coop
Swoosie Kurtz
as Jean
Jackie Sandler
as Bartender