Next Door

Randy Quaid could most likely play the part of an obnoxious neighbor in his sleep. It is interesting however, to see the usually smarmy James Woods playing a meek college professor. What starts out as Quaid's sprinkler soaking Wood's azaleas, eventually escalates to macho competitions, and finally gets nasty with a dog killing, attempted rape, and a completely unhinged Randy Quaid. Make no mistake, "Next Door" is not a "black comedy", because it is so mean spirited. What it really is, is two abrasive actors, playing two abrasive characters. Both wives, Kate Capshaw and Lucinda Jenny, more or less simply blend into the background, while Quaid and Woods do battle. - MERK