Your Friends and Neighbors

If men are indeed from Mars and women from Venus, from what godforsaken planet do the pathetic and loathsome characters in this bleak comedy hail? Writer/director Neil LaBute follows his provocative debut, In the Company of Men, with this scathing Carnal Knowledge for the '90s. Jason Patric stars as Cary, a contemptuous misogynist. Ben Stiller is an acting teacher who begins an affair with the wife of his best friend (Aaron Eckhart). Catherine Keener, Amy Brennaman and Nastassja Kinski are the unfortunate women in their lives. LaBute writes bluntly potent dialogue that recalls David Mamet. The film's set piece is Patric's harrowing monologue on the best sex he's ever had (which on further reflection feels like a showy stunt for our benefit and discomfort--you get the feeling that these so-called friends would have had this conversation long ago). Critics loved it, but despite the brilliant ensemble, I am loathe to recommend it. The kneejerk response is that if these really were your friends and neighbors, you would be on the phone to U-Haul. Optional. (K. Lee Benson)