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| Lakeview Terrace--belated movie review
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A fine line between right and wrong--between racism and abuse of power--is walked in the "saucy" suspense thriller "Lakeview Terrace". The feature antagonists, Abel Turner(Samuel L. Jackson) and Chris Mattson(Patrick Wilson), clash time and time again over what seems to be a simple case of black versus white after Chris and his wife(Kerry Washington) move into the lavish house next to widower Abel and his two kids. But, deeper veiled secrets are afoot. And, it is the viewers' "job" to sort them out.
The story is fairly straight-forward, but the seedy details add plenty of "spice". Abel Turner is a single father(his wife deceased) trying to instill good manners in his kids while playing "neighborhood guard dog" under the badge of the LAPD. His tactics seem a tad harsh at first, but this could simply be chalked up to being a tough cop on crime and a tough love parent. Chris and his wife Lisa are budding home owners in the house nextdoor despite the somewhat subtle scoffing they receive for being an interracial couple(to some degree from the Mrs' father played by Ron Glass of police sitcom "Barney Miller" fame). Turner is immediately on guard scoping out the new neighbors with "subtle" interrogation tactics. What starts out innocent proves to be more murky and uncertain as time progresses. Tensions rise like the California wild fires growing ever closer with each passing day. A feud brews as neither "alpha male" wants to back down. Eventually, both seek to push the other out of the neighborhood. There is something suspicious about the way Turner looks at Chris' wife constantly. When guns become the last straw, the plot quickly gets "ugly" and goes off with a "bang". Ask yourself who was right in the end.
If done properly, this could easily be turned into a small saga/run-on series. The little secrets kept in nightstand drawers and back pockets seem like a decent paper trail for a concept that spreads like a plague or contageous disease. It's not a pretty idea, but it would work to continue a story which I think is not resolved. Like the movie "Crash", this is a slice of life story. It could be judged as having a clear-cut ending. But, it doesn't have one.
Jackson is a powerful, dynamic character. His identity isn't crystal clear, but he brings an energy to the screen that keeps you wondering. His name is a perfect irony. Abel Turner/able turner(able to turn at any minute from one side to the other). Wilson does almost equally well as the conflicted white husband at odds with whatever sticks its face in his. Kerry Washington(whom I loved immensely in "Ray") simply fills her role as the wife with a bullseye on her back trying to live the life she has always desired with a family of her own(against her father's wishes). She doesn't do anything special and looks hideous in the choice of glasses they gave her. The jobs of the husband and wife seem quite vague as well. Lisa(Washington) is an artist of some kind, but it's never fully explained. And, I don't know any artist who could separate herself from rich parents and buy a wealthy property of her own. Chris(Wilson) says he is working with a grocery food chain of some kind, but his eyes seem shifty when he says it.
Despite fears of coming away from this slightly bored and a nervous wreck from the tension, I was considerably pleased with the outcome(though the ending could have gone differently lest it not cast a common shadow) and give "Lakeview Terrace"(which I find too violent for a mere PG-13 rating at just under two hours long) four stars out of five(or three and a quarter out of four). I don't understand why they chose to rate it that way. And, there is one tiny scene by the couple's pool that made me wrinkle an eyebrow as to a potential flaw. But, otherwise, it is a "wholesome meal" of bad habits and their consequences mixed with conflict of interests and moral confusion. It's a thinker, and I liked it.
--brainstormer, free-lance movie critic and participant in the Thoughts.com blogging experience.
[Go ahead. You want to call the police? I'll tell you who's on duty.]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeview_Terrace
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Posted by brainstormer on 2008-10-11 16:00:24 | Rating: | Views: 119
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Wow! Well done...and thank you!
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Posted by allbymyself
on 2008-10-11 16:19:34
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Seems like my kind of movie to watch:) I have to check the newspaper if it's has been on our cinemas yet........Don't think I will watch the Duchess as neither F nor M like the story about Brit's Royalty, hate to watch it by myself:(
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Posted by Gwatlan
on 2008-10-11 18:47:14
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Yes, Gwatlan, I think this was a movie both you and I could finally enjoy together:)
And, you are welcome, allbymyself:P Do give your self a "face"(pic) to know you by.
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Posted by brainstormer
on 2008-10-11 22:04:33
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Good review. I now want to go see this movie.
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Posted by prelude2it
on 2008-10-13 08:28:18
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Good review; I'll be sure to check it out.
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Posted by amorev2379
on 2008-10-15 01:11:59
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