NEW NEIGHBOR (2013) - Review

Posted by Daniel Mann (follow me @danielma861)

New Neighbor features an explosive showdown that pits a buttoned up good girl against a sexually liberated woman in a battle that substitutes lightsabers with rubber phallus sex toys. Yeah, you heard me right. I did just say that. As cliché as this saying may be, it’s a sight that has to be seen to be believed.

Ayano stars as a sexually repressed secretary in her mid-20s. Her day-to-day life consists of dealing with unwanted sexual advances from her chauvinistic boss. To make matters worse, she is hounded with sexual advice from her overbearing mother on a daily basis. Her life then takes an unexpected turn when a new neighbor moves into the empty apartment next door.

Taking into account the miniscule budget, Director Norman England displays a strong hand in getting the most out of the least. The film captures a seedy side of Tokyo, where suited up salary man are depicted as little more then chauvinistic dogs slobbering at the sight of an attractive woman.

The notion of Sex is entirely unavoidable for the “Girl” as it infiltrates every area of her daily life. Whether it is the local advertisements for strip clubs littered throughout the train carriages, a group of thugs who harass woman on the streets or even just a completely awkward dinner date where the notion is clearly on both participants’ minds.

However, in spite of her own throbbing biological urges, she denies herself the notion of sex thanks to her embedded conservative leanings. She’s far too timid and oppressed to embrace such basic human desires. As such, it winds up becoming a conflict of interest for the “Girl” as she finds herself trapped between two extremes.

The “Woman” next door portrays the counter opposite, an extreme version of the liberated type. Asami plays the “Woman” as a brazenly domineering femme fatale attired in skimpy leather clad outfits and high lifting stiletto heels. The “Girl’s” repulsion at her new neighbor’s open lifestyle soon turns to fascination, which leads to a series of disastrous events. Ayano carries the feature on her shoulders very well while Asami once again displays her natural ability to play that femme fatale type. Both actresses turn in a commendable effort here and should be praised as such.

Clocking in at just over 40 minutes, New Neighbor is a tightly put together short feature that plays out its major notes with self-assurance. The conclusion may be a little rushed, but it is entirely forgivable considering the short run time.