Lakeview Terrace DVD: Review By B. Alan Orange

Lakeview Terrace is an adult thriller. I doubt many teenagers will want to sit through it, or have enough practical insight to truly understand the ramifications of its characters' actions. So it's weird that Neil LaBute, whose films are genuinely intended for older viewers, has decided to shove his dramatic narrative into the confined space of a PG-13 drama. The film could have used that much needed push an R rating sometimes offers. A little nudity here, a little bit harsher language there. I think it would have helped the film grow into something quiet special. As it stands, this is a searing, yet watered down, look at race relations in America. And it rings true. Sam Jackson plays an LAPD officer that doesn't take too kindly to his new next-door neighbors. They are an attractive mixed race couple just starting out their lives together as newlyweds and homeowners. They aren't rich, by any means. And it means a lot that they are able to move into this particular cul-de-sac. At first, Jackson's Abel Turner seems to be holding a grudge against them for having sex in their own swimming pool simply because his children's bedroom window looks down upon this recreational area of their house. But as the days spiral out of control against the backdrop of a Southern California hillside fire, it becomes quite clear that Turner is a separatist. He believes that different races should not intermingle. And that one should stick with his (or her) own kind. A widower, Turner recently lost his wife in a car accident. He hasn't been able to grieve, as he suspects she was having an affair with her white boss. He takes the anger from this tormenting susp*cion and channels it into the life of Chris Mattson and his wife Lisa. At first, Abel does jerky things like breaking their air conditioning unit and shining his safety lights directly into their bedroom window. Before long, he is slashing their tires and hiring a man to break into their home. It becomes obvious that he is a whack job, and it's an astute performance from Jackson. The characters are all well written, and there is a method to Turner's madness. But LaBute, working from a screenplay by David Loughery and Howard Korder, paints himself into a corner he can't quite get out of. What starts as a smart and intense thriller slowly becomes a lame retribution drama that would have been right at home in the mid-90s. Eighty percent of the film is tight and on target. The other twenty percent adds up to an absolutely awkward ending. And everything is tied up a little too nicely. It's definitely worth a rental, but you might not feel compelled to revisit it right away.

There are quite a few nice special features on this standard disc. It comes with a handful of deleted scenes that help flesh out the three main characters. And director Neil LaBute presents them with optional commentary. The director and cast also offer up an audio commentary that runs the entire duration of the film. There is a behind the scenes featurette, a look at casting the houses used in the film, and a mini-doc on the physical production.

The film is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. In color. And it runs one hour and fifty minutes.

The film is presented in English, Spanish, and Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital as well as French Dolby Surround. The subtitles are presented in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Thai, and Korean.

Sam Jackson seems to be tearing through the lives of recently married Chris and Lisa Mattson. We can see that he is indeed a badass cop. And there are four stars from Roger Ebert, which indicts that this might be worth watching. There are a lot of guns, and some cop cars. But that look on Jackson's face does not indicate a good time is being had by anyone. It certainly is an attractive image, and would compel me to pick it up in the store. I like the use of the sunset.

This is a good movie, not a great one. Sam Jackson gives us one of his best performances, but after sitting through some of the garbage he's released over the course of the last three years, that's not saying much. The direction by Neil LaBute seems fenced in by that PG-13 rating. It could have been one of Neil's best, but he doesn't really go all the way with the concept. I would like to have seen a more realistic ending. It's a renter, not a buyer.