There Goes the Neighborhood

There Goes the Neighborhood from 1992 is an entertaining film that follows a group of homeowners who live in a quiet suburban neighborhood. Starring Jeff Daniels as Willis Embry, Catherine O'Hara as his wife, and Hector Elizondo as the local real estate agent, the movie explores what happens when a new family moves into the neighborhood, bringing with them a culture clash and a series of misunderstandings that quickly escalate into a full-blown feud.

As the story begins, the Embrys are just settling in for a quiet evening when they are jolted awake by the sound of loud music and raucous laughter coming from their new neighbor's house. Over the course of the next few days, they discover that their new neighbors are a multiracial family consisting of Louie (played by Rhea Perlman) and her husband Willis (J.T. Walsh) along with their two children.

Initially, the Embrys try to be polite and friendly, but they are soon put off by the new family's loud and boisterous behavior. Meanwhile, the new neighbors are equally dismayed to discover that their new community might not be as welcoming as they had hoped.

As tensions rise, the neighborhood becomes divided into two camps. On one side are the old-timers who want things to stay the way they have always been, and on the other side are the newcomers who are determined to create a new and inclusive community.

The movie is full of comedic moments as each side tries to outdo the other in their efforts to one-up their rivals. For example, when the new neighbors put up a basketball hoop, the old-timers retaliate by painting "Go Back Where You Came From" on the side of their house.

Things escalate further when the two groups begin to sabotage each other's properties. The results are hilarious at times, but also serve to highlight the deep-seated prejudices that exist even in supposedly "enlightened" communities.

As the feud reaches its boiling point, the Embrys and their neighbors are forced to confront their own biases and preconceptions about race, class, and culture. Through a series of misunderstandings and misadventures, they ultimately come to a greater understanding and appreciation for each other's differences.

There Goes the Neighborhood is a timeless movie that speaks to the challenges and rewards of building a diverse and inclusive community. It's a hilarious yet poignant reminder that our differences are what make us unique, and that it's only through coming together that we can achieve true understanding and acceptance.