Yes, this is the first time I’ve seen it. I just don’t care for Tom Hanks, so it’s hard for me to take his presence as a selling point. But I hadn’t noticed that this was directed by Joe Dante, and that really made it worthwhile.
I think what makes this movie important is that there’s nothing quite like it. There are a few movies that seem spiritually similar - like Rear Window. But there’s a beauty to all of the action taking place in one neighborhood. It creates a nice, tidy world, and there’s no larger perspective. The ethical questions of spying on your neighbors aren’t addressed until very late in the movie, and even then, it seems more like a wink at the audience, acknowledging that they thought about that. Dante knows how to strike a wonderful, unique balance between comedic tones and mild horror.
What also makes this movie interesting is how nicely the script works. We learn only as much as the main characters, leaving the mystery family just as mysterious as possible. Our impression of them varies as we learn more and reasons are established for their behavior.
It’s a much more likable movie than I expected, even though Tom Hanks seems pretty disposable in his role.
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