Writer-Director Neil LaBute's follow up to In the Company of Men is a brutal yet hilarious ensemble piece that is sure to stir up controversy. Amy Brenneman, Aaron Eckhart, Catherine Keener, Natassja Kinski, Jason Patric and Ben Stiller are the friends and neighbors in question. For about an hour and forty-five minutes, LaBute introduces us to these dysfunctional characters who have no idea they're dysfunctional.

Much like its' critically acclaimed predecessor, Your Friends and Neighbors takes a no-holds barred look at the dark side of human nature--especially when seen through the eyes of Patric, an overly confident monster of a human being, who offers most of the films darkest, funniest moments. He's sort of an extension of Eckhart's character from In the Company of Men.

As great as the cast is, Patric, Eckhart, and Brenneman shine the brightest. Patric is electrifying as a man who cares only about himself. He has a monologue in the film relating an incident that took place in his high school days that is so shocking and convincing, it had me covering my mouth in disgust. Eckhart, does a complete role reversal here. He loses the callous womanizer personae and gains thirty pounds to play the most likable character in the film. A man who, despite his love for his wife, gets more pleasure from himself. Brenneman, who had a brief role on NYPD Blue and played Robert DeNiro's girlfriend in Heat, serves up a rich character confounded by life's conflicting priorities.

With the exception of an interesting set up in a book store, LaBute doesn't spend much time setting up dazzling camera shots. He just lets the actors do their thing, with some of the best dialogue I've heard in a long time. LaBute is right up there with Mamet and Tarantino. In fact, LaBute's storytelling is so frank and to the point, that the film doesn't even use a musical score.

In the end, I have a fear that many audiences will think this film is condoning a certain type of behavior, but it's not. Much like In the Company of Men, it's more of a cautionary tale. Believe it or not, people like those in LaBute's cinematic world do exist. With friends and neighbors like these, who needs enemies?