Watch The Tenants
- R
- 2005
- 1 hr 31 min
-
5.1 (1,130)
The Tenants is a 2005 film directed by Danny Green based on a novel of the same name by Bernard Malamud. The film stars Dylan McDermott, Snoop Dogg, and Rose Byrne. Set in 1972, the film portrays a struggling writer named Harry Lesser who is working on his novel in New York's Lower East Side. Harry lives in a run-down apartment building and is the only tenant left there. The building's landlord is trying to force all of the tenants to leave, so he can tear down the building and build a parking lot.
One day, a new tenant named Willie Spearmint (played by Snoop Dogg) moves into the building. Willie is a black man who wants to open up a bookstore in the neighborhood. Harry is initially wary of Willie, but they soon become friends, bonding over their shared love of literature. Willie encourages Harry to finish his novel and helps him get published.
Despite their friendship, tensions rise between Harry and Willie when Harry finds out that Willie is having an affair with his ex-girlfriend, Irene (played by Rose Byrne). Irene is a waitress at a nearby diner, and she is also struggling to make ends meet. Harry is still in love with her, and he becomes jealous and angry with Willie.
As their friendship deteriorates, Harry and Willie begin to view each other as symbols of the larger societal issues of race, class, and gentrification. Harry sees Willie as representing the younger generation that is trying to push out the old ways, while Willie sees Harry as being stuck in the past and unwilling to change.
The Tenants is a character-driven drama that explores themes of creativity, identity, and social upheaval. The film is anchored by strong performances from McDermott, Snoop Dogg, and Byrne, who all bring depth and nuance to their roles.
Overall, The Tenants is a thought-provoking and poignant film that tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates powerful storytelling and outstanding acting.
The Tenants is a 2005 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1 and a MetaScore of 46.