Movie Review - Neighbors' Window

It’s not uncommon where I have found myself mindlessly scrolling the feed on social media handles and awed and wowed at people’s lives. 

Trips to exotic locations, dining at fancy restaurants, getting the coveted ‘Under’ titles, winning awards and accolades, ideal jobs in dream companies, those perfect body curves and the amazing outfits donning them, has had me thinking that so many others life’s so cooler or happier or more successful than my present one. 

Most of the occasions I’m guilty of this particular habit cause it’s such a futile, pointless thing to be engaged in and such waste of thoughts. The definite sure shot route to fall into the negativity spiral and invite stress. In fact this kind of behavior is so common amongst so many of us that despite being aware that comparisons aren’t meaningful or don’t even make us happy or productive we give in a good number of hours to it.  

Today, as I watched the Oscars 2020 winner Neighbors’ Window, I was once again reminded of the phrase count your blessings. 

Inspired by a real-life story, this 20 minute short film is about a couple who initially casually start out watching but later deliberately observe the daily routine of their neighbors in the building opposite theirs. 

Parents to three kids, Alli and Jacob epitomize the thirty-something couple who are in an unhappy and tired phase managing the children and seemingly missing their earlier party life.  ‘Wild’ nights seem a distant past and are fading memories. When a young free spirited couple moves in to the apartment across their courtyard, Alli and Jacob envy their lives, one that is clearly visible as the house has no drapes. One day, in the want of some me-time, Alli sends the kids away with Jacob. It is then that she comes face-to-face with the neighbors’ reality. 

The winner out of the one hundred ninety-one films qualified in the Live Action Short Film Category, the movie nudges us about contentment. We have an opportunity to look at our lives and decide what to focus on – tragedy or the happy times. The answer is solely ours to say.

It’s simple, a good watch but not sure when it deserved that title. Well, but, also to be frank I haven’t watched all the nominees yet.