Good Neighbors

Good Neighbours

I hope you never have such neighbours as these but they certainly make for good theatre. There is suspense. There is humour. There is mystery and intrigue. It is almost like a farce. Best yet it is a Canadian production now showing at my favorite place, the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

This is not a genre that I usually enjoy but this is done in such good fun. Meet the neighbours living in this Montréal apartment building.

Louise, who is English speaking, is a cat lover. That is putting it mildly. Her cats run her life much to the annoyance of her French speaking neighbour. That neighbour curses and threatens the cats in her loudest best French. She wants them dead.

Spencer is almost smarmy with his handsome looks and constant grin. How could he be so content in his wheelchair? Apparently his wife died in the car accident that forced him into the wheelchair. He is unable to leave his apartment (apparently) because there is no elevator and many stairs. A caregiver comes in often and brings him food and gives him a massage. There was a clue that he was not what he pretended to be when she commented on his strong muscles as she gave him a massage.

Spencer and Louise are good friends. Victor moves into the apartment and immediately takes a fancy to Louise. Victor, Louise and Spencer spend much time together at little dinners and in conversation.

Apparently there is a killer in the area. Several women have been raped. Suspicion settles in on the neighbours in this Montréal apartment. There are surprises and intrigue. Of course there are murders.

Spencer and Louise figure out who is the murderer. Once again there is plotting and scheming to withhold information and to throw the police from finding the true murderer.

The story is ridiculous but the acting is carried out so well. The characters are actually funny. The music enhances the excitement and the action is constant. It is all good fun and very entertaining.