Lakeview Terrace
3/4
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Rated PG-13 for Intense Thematic Material, Violence, Sexuality, Language and Some Drug References
The scariest villain is not the one who is insane. Far more terrifying is the one insane but does not understand it.
Chris (Wilson) and Lisa Mattson (Washington) have just purchased their first home in a Los Angeles suburb. Their next-door neighbor is Abel Turner (Jackson), a decorated member of the LAPD. With a rash of crimes plaguing the area and a fire closing in, it would seem that Abel will provide a sense of security for the new homeowners. No such luck. Abel is bitterly opposed to interracial marriages (Chris is white while Lisa is black), and it doesn't take long for Abel show his feelings of hostility. He has security lights aimed at their bedroom window. Chris and Lisa, being the "Berkley liberals" that they are, try to resolve the situation peacefully. However, when they "break in" the new pool, Abel turns up the heat. Soon it becomes all-out war between the new homeowners and their vicious neighbor.
"Lakeview Terrace" is a film that will shock and unsettle everyone who views it. That's by design. It was directed by Neil LaBute, who makes films that force us to confront the ugly truths within ourselves. Racism, overt and subtle, is at the heart of the film, and it examines the issue in ways that are challenging, disturbing and painful. I imagine many will turn this film off partway through, not because of its intensity (although it is that), because it makes them ask questions about themselves that they don't want to know the answers to.
Samuel L. Jackson has given a number of great performances in his career, but the role of Abel Turner is the most deranged character he's ever played. Abel is a sick man. Not just morally, but mentally. He is a racist, yes, but he lacks the ability to form healthy relationships with anyone. He is almost violently averse to change and believes that he can dictate the lives of others as he sees fit. Watch Jackson's eyes. They have an intelligent madness about them that is truly frightening. Abel is insane, but he doesn't see himself that way.
Patrick Wilson may seem like a weak choice to play opposite a force of nature like Samuel L. Jackson, but that's precisely why he works. Wilson has made a career out of playing affable, vanilla individuals and that quality serves him well here. By his nature, Chris is not a violent or even an angry person. But Abel is so smart and so willing to find his weaknesses and exploit them in the most painful way possible. Eventually, he has to choose between taking the affable, easy road or growing some spine. It is not easy for him. Kerry Washington is quite good as his wife Lisa, who has more spine than he does, but her character is underwritten and underused. She's supposed to be on an equal playing field with Jackson and Wilson, but it doesn't come across.
For about an hour and a half, this is a terrifying and painful game of psychological warfare. Many films have examined similar material, but few have been as brutal. Then the film makes a mistake. By giving Abel a motive, it robs him of much of the insanity that made him so scary and unpredictable. Much of what happens in the final act of the film would seem more credible had it been a result of his sickness rather than a conventional reason. It does tie into a clever twist in the climax, but handling it better than a speech by Abel would have worked better. Perhaps if Chris had found it out on his own. No, a motiveless Abel would have been better.
Recommending "Lakeview Terrace" is difficult. Not because I don't think it's worth seeing. It is absolutely worth seeing. It's just that not many people will be willing or able to sit through a film that causes them such discomfort. I liked it and found it exhilirating. Whether or not you will is something you have to decide for yourself.
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington
Rated PG-13 for Intense Thematic Material, Violence, Sexuality, Language and Some Drug References
The scariest villain is not the one who is insane. Far more terrifying is the one insane but does not understand it.
Chris (Wilson) and Lisa Mattson (Washington) have just purchased their first home in a Los Angeles suburb. Their next-door neighbor is Abel Turner (Jackson), a decorated member of the LAPD. With a rash of crimes plaguing the area and a fire closing in, it would seem that Abel will provide a sense of security for the new homeowners. No such luck. Abel is bitterly opposed to interracial marriages (Chris is white while Lisa is black), and it doesn't take long for Abel show his feelings of hostility. He has security lights aimed at their bedroom window. Chris and Lisa, being the "Berkley liberals" that they are, try to resolve the situation peacefully. However, when they "break in" the new pool, Abel turns up the heat. Soon it becomes all-out war between the new homeowners and their vicious neighbor.
"Lakeview Terrace" is a film that will shock and unsettle everyone who views it. That's by design. It was directed by Neil LaBute, who makes films that force us to confront the ugly truths within ourselves. Racism, overt and subtle, is at the heart of the film, and it examines the issue in ways that are challenging, disturbing and painful. I imagine many will turn this film off partway through, not because of its intensity (although it is that), because it makes them ask questions about themselves that they don't want to know the answers to.
Samuel L. Jackson has given a number of great performances in his career, but the role of Abel Turner is the most deranged character he's ever played. Abel is a sick man. Not just morally, but mentally. He is a racist, yes, but he lacks the ability to form healthy relationships with anyone. He is almost violently averse to change and believes that he can dictate the lives of others as he sees fit. Watch Jackson's eyes. They have an intelligent madness about them that is truly frightening. Abel is insane, but he doesn't see himself that way.
Patrick Wilson may seem like a weak choice to play opposite a force of nature like Samuel L. Jackson, but that's precisely why he works. Wilson has made a career out of playing affable, vanilla individuals and that quality serves him well here. By his nature, Chris is not a violent or even an angry person. But Abel is so smart and so willing to find his weaknesses and exploit them in the most painful way possible. Eventually, he has to choose between taking the affable, easy road or growing some spine. It is not easy for him. Kerry Washington is quite good as his wife Lisa, who has more spine than he does, but her character is underwritten and underused. She's supposed to be on an equal playing field with Jackson and Wilson, but it doesn't come across.
For about an hour and a half, this is a terrifying and painful game of psychological warfare. Many films have examined similar material, but few have been as brutal. Then the film makes a mistake. By giving Abel a motive, it robs him of much of the insanity that made him so scary and unpredictable. Much of what happens in the final act of the film would seem more credible had it been a result of his sickness rather than a conventional reason. It does tie into a clever twist in the climax, but handling it better than a speech by Abel would have worked better. Perhaps if Chris had found it out on his own. No, a motiveless Abel would have been better.
Recommending "Lakeview Terrace" is difficult. Not because I don't think it's worth seeing. It is absolutely worth seeing. It's just that not many people will be willing or able to sit through a film that causes them such discomfort. I liked it and found it exhilirating. Whether or not you will is something you have to decide for yourself.
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