Lakeview TerraceDirected by: Neil LaBute Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington Time: 1 hr 45 mins Rating: PG-13
Plot: An interracial newlywed couple (Wilson and Washington) move into their dream home and soon realize they have issues with their neighbor. A disapproving Los Angeles police officer (Jackson) harasses his new neighbors until things go too far.
Who’s It For? If you want to see this one with your lady friend and hope she will cling to you because she's scared, you might be disappointed. This is more of a psychological thriller than anything else. Surprisingly, there is as much humor as there is suspense.
Expectations: I am hoping the edge of the seats has good cushioning. I'm waiting for Samuel L. Jackson to pop out from behind a door or the bushes or something. It's odd to see Neil LaBute directing though, as he's best known for his talk-fests of In the Company of Men and Your Friends & Neighbors.
SCORECARD (1-10)
Actors: Samuel L. Jackson as Abel Turner: Jackson plays the stern father, hard-nosed veteran cop and the psycho neighbor. Abel is “3 degrees south” of even keeled. The best part is that Jackson holds this eerie smile while he delivers disturbing lines and makes threatening comments. He gives Abel just the right amount of crazy to make it work. I was thrilled with the performance after being disappointed by Jumper earlier this year. Score: 8
Patrick Wilson as Chris Mattson: Wilson portrays almost exactly what I feel while watching the film (with a few exceptions). He's just so confused and upset by his interactions with his neighbor and his facial expressions say it all. You know he's thinking, "Is this guy nuts?!" and it all fits just right. Score: 7
Kerry Washington as Lisa Mattson: Washington gives some substance to the work-from-home-housewife, daddy's girl, Lisa. The building tension is evident in her exchanges with her on-screen husband as they go through some tough times. Maybe it's because she doesn't get much direct contact with Jackson, but she just wasn't a memorable character. Score: 5
Talking: The dialog between Jackson and Wilson is fantastic. Jackson seems friendly and jovial one minute and the next he's angry and threatening. It's hard to tell if he's joking around or dead serious but it makes his character that much better. Throughout the film, the racial tension is strong but not harsh. Jackson delivers this gem early on, “You can listen to that noise all night long, but when you wake up in the morning, you'll still be white.” Score: 8
Sights & Sounds: This is a typical suspense film. There are plenty of shots through the trees or the blinds to give that, “somebody's watching you” effect. And the score helps to get your heart racing when things get a little tense. If that's not enough, they also throw in a chainsaw scene and the appropriate jarring sound effects. Score: 5
OVERALL Everybody has had crazy neighbors at some point but probably none that compare to Abel Turner. He seems like a normal dad and veteran police officer on the surface. When his new neighbors find out things aren't what they seem, things get weird. Samuel L. Jackson steals the show. He's a great mix of funny and dangerously unbalanced that leave you liking and hating him all at the same time. There are also plenty of psychological games to keep you on the edge even if is it slightly predictable at times. Score: 6/10