Sidewalks On The Corner

Samuel L. Jackson (above) plays Abel Turner, an evil cop in Neil LaBute's “Lakeview Terrace,” which co-stars Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington.

Follow up:

LAKEVIEW TERRACE
Screen Gems
Thriller

Directed by: Neil LaBute
Written by: David Loughery and Howard Korder
Produced by: Will Smith, James Lassiter
Executive Producers: John Cameron, David Loughery, Jeffrey Graup
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington

STUDIO SYNOPSIS:
In "Lakeview Terrace," a young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer (Samuel L. Jackson) has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back.

J.P. TAKE:
It's a war of the "Good Fences," as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in "Lakeview Terrace," a racially charged mini thriller. Chris and Lisa Mattson (played by Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) is an interracial couple, who moves into the house of their dreams. What they didn't expect was that the next door neighbor, an LAPD officer Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), who would go out of his way to break up a happy home.

There's not lot to say about this film, other than the fact that it's a thriller with racial overtones. "Lakeview" is lukewarm in its attempt to explain the troubles of being a mixed couple in America. The entire story was basically driven by Jackson's character, who tried his best to get rid of the couple, because he seems to have a problem with white men who are married to black women.

I felt the story could have been handled differently. The couple should have stacked up evidence against Turner -- to bring him to justice. Instead they fought him with him tooth and nail, falling into his traps every time. Nothing really ever got solved. I also felt the story about what happened to Turner’s wife (what little there was) was a slight – no pun intended -- cop out. I can understand Turner's reason for harboring anger and sadness because of the incident, what I can't understand is why he needed take his anger out on an innocent couple whom have nothing to do with him or his wife. There wasn't any rational thought about the situation; it was all about emotions getting in the way and clouding one’s judgment. But maybe that was the point of the film and I just missed it. I thought there was going to be some deep discussion about racism in this country and how it affects us all, and how we can help solve or lessen the problem. Instead raw emotion and bitterness take over which literally causes Turner to turn to the "dark side." Midway through the film I figured that the particular story line was just filler to motivate the characters. Which again…I guess…was the point of the film. There wasn't really anything too deep in the script on that subject matter. Again it's an understandable story about racism, bitterness and hatred, but for me the film fell apart toward the end.

Basically there were really only three characters to think about, and they all played their parts well enough to get the point across. Jackson played the perfect Dr. Jekyll/ Mr. Hide, as he appeared like the upstanding good neighbor on the outside, but on the inside he was simmering with evil and bitterness. Both Wilson and Washington did a fine job of acting. They worked well as a couple, and when faced with adversity, you can feel the strain on the couple's relationship. Nice job by the entire cast, both supporting and main cast members.

Over all, "Lakeview Terrace" wasn't a bad movie; it kept me watching until the very end. It is eerie and intense, as it provided a vehicle for the characters to run amok. You can see right through the thin plot although maybe watching it a second time would help me find a deeper meaning to the whole thing. Unfortunately, the film ran flat and the ending was a disappointment. It's good enough to rent if you're not really sure about how it will turn out.