An interracial couple moves into their California dream home, only to find themselves the target of their volatile next-door neighbor -- a racist LAPD officer -- in this tightly wound thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. Newlyweds Chris and Lisa seem like they have the perfect marriage and now, with their new home in the exclusive community Lakeview Terrace, the perfect life as well, but things soon turn ugly in the posh neighborhood when they begin to receive threats from their neighbor Abel, a middle-aged LAPD officer who has obvious objections to the couple's interracial marriage. What starts as an attitude problem soon morphs into full-on harassment, and before long the couple finds that their worries go far beyond their property values -- or the encroaching California wildfire burning in view of their community -- as they begin to fear for their lives.
Review A nicely done thriller thanks to Samuel L. Jackson's terrifying performance as the uptight father and a ruthless cop and some powerful support performances from Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. I am not familiar with some of Neil LaBute's previous efforts but Lakeview Terrace gives off a good impression. He handles the subject of racism pretty well. Its not overdone, its not too preachy, it just told a fairly good story and that was it. No pretentions, no melodramatic mumbo jumbo that has often plagued films that takes on such delicate topics on screen. It topped the box-office when it was released all thanks to Samuel J's star power and here's hoping more people will see this movie. If you want your daily dose of thrillers, then Lakeview Terrace is a must see. But don't expect much though, its just a little film taking on big, controversial subjects that is relevant in this day and age.
Eh, this movie was simply ok, nothing to get excited about. I have to wonder what makes a great actor like SLJ choose an average movie like this.
The story was very predictable and easy to keep up with, but it wasn't very layered. Very little depth to it.
The ending you could see coming from a mile away.
It was really just a pointless movie overall. While watching it I was wondering who actually took the time to write out this entire script and then who honestly thought this would be a good idea for a movie.
Skip this one, watch it on TV if you're very bored.
Officer: You folks are lucky. You have a cop living next door.
After the disaster that was "The Wicker Man," director Neil LaBute comes back with another studio film centering around an interracial couple moving into a new home with a stern, black LAPD officer, who focuses his attention on them through harassment.
Samuel L. Jackson plays the next-door neighbor, Abel Turner. While the way he plays this character does in fact work on a level that makes his character feel human with obvious flaws, the film unfortunately has a few too many scenes that make him into too much of a villain, especially the lame thriller ending route the film takes.
Chris: We got a way to figure this thing out between us. Abel: Or what?
Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington star as the new homeowners and they work fairly well. Wilson manages to hold his own against Jackson for the most part and works well as a liberal-type character being pushed to his limits. Washington is good enough as well, but only gets a few scenes to go beyond "the wife" character.
As mentioned, the ending is where the movie really falls apart. While the whole film relies on increasing tensions between neighbors, its reverting to a very cliched thriller messes things up badly. Another Jackson film, Changing Lanes, did a better job at resolving its story. The film also stretches its plot pretty thin. It really dragged on and became more frustrating before trying to resolve its story.
These things being said, the film is a decent thriller due to its attempts to handle the race relations aspect as well as the headbutting between Jackson and Wilson.
Decent.
[after installing his own flood lights] Lisa: You really think this is gonna help? Chris: No, but I'm gonna enjoy the shit out of it.
Dont see this movie if you think its serious, go along and have a laugh at how much fun Samuel L Jackson obviously had playing this role. Disturbingly funny.
Well it's always fun to see Samuel L. Jackson shouting at people... I would probably have liked it more if I'd ever been in an interracial relationship.
Well, ya'll i just came back from this premere. I have to say its the best entertaining drama ive ever seen; especially on the big screen. I didn't get bored for 1 second. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen throught the movie. Its a very intense story about a young interracial couple finally moves to a neighbor hood called lakeview terrace, where they wanna spend the rest of their lives at. Though, they're is something strange about their next door neighbor; Abel Turner. Their neighbor turns out to be a Los Angelas Police Officer that interupts and trys to destroy the couple's lives. See, i understand when i was watching this i relized that he was a cop being a father to his daughter and son. I also relized that he was protecting his neighborhood, by keeping an eye on everything that goes on. It took me a while to figure out why he was trying to break up the couple. Abel, didn't like that they were interracial. So, they're were two parts to the story instead of 1; which i was thinking. Thats what makes Samuel L. Jackson's character so powerful. This has lots of suspense;which i don't wanna give away because it will definetly ruin it for anybody that hasn't seen it. I'll just tell ya that it will surprise you just as it surprised me. Its very violent for a PG-13 rating. Its very intense, racist and disturbing.
All the actors did great; especially Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson, is the man! What i like about Jackson, he makes his character soooo outstanding. His performance in every single one of his movies amazes me. I have to say this is Samuel L. Jackson's best performance so far. I mean that. If you don't believe me go see LVT. After you watch it you'll see what i mean. Patrick Wilson did an outsatnding job, playing the role as Chris Madsen. Patrick's character was real serious. What ever Chris had to do to stop Abel from ruin their lives, he always had ideas to handle the situation. If i remember i think this is his 1st movie. Wow! What a performance by him. Im hoping to see him in more great movies in the future. Last, but not least Kerri Washington. Oh Man! How sexy is she? SEXY! Let me tell ya. Kerri, is the sexiest black girl ever. She played Lisa Madsen in a very sexy role as Chris's wife. They're was some parts that Kerri, got a little carried away on her acting at the first part of the movie. As the movie went on, she was outstanding. If i recall i think this is Kerri's 1st thriller and she did great.
So, go see LVT as soon as u can. You'll enjoy and be entertained throughout.
Not to bad of a movie, but nothing too extraordinary. Story, while done well ,was not too original or inspired. The pace of the movie for the first half hour was too slow. Samuel L. Jackson played his role to his usual skill, which saved this movie from having a 2 and 1/2 rating. Watch this movie on a night that you have nothing else to do, but don`t expect too much.
All about a young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) who 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. I would say this is a "so-so" movie; so u see it-so u don't!
I really liked this movie when I thought it was probably going to be lame. They don't make many movies like this, anymore. The suspense thriller seems to have become a dying breed up there with romantic comedies. From beginning to end, this was an exciting movie. It never got dull and the neighbor character was like every bad neighbor you've ever had x1000...Oh, and he's a cop so who are you going to call?
The back story as to why the guy is the way he was was painfully obvious long before the plot revealed it, but the plot had enough original circumstances to make it unique, if not a little too wild to be plausible.
They could have taken the few instances of Samuel L. Jackson's character insinuating the couple were Democrats, though. There were a few really stupid lines in there. Someone else reviewing this movie mentioned the "I don't even know you anymore" line. Ugh. Yes! They could have put something original in there. It just seemed out of place...and I wanted to see the wife confront the husband over the video incident!
However, who cares? We do still watch movies to be entertained right? This was a great popcorn flick with such a "real" feel to it. Glad I watched this one.
this movie is abt samuel l jackson who is a cop.he think whatever he does is correct and think the best of himself.one day a interracial couple move beside him.due to his marriage failure he try to harassed them so they would break up and move out,The interacial couple decided to fight back
Was an alright movie. The story wasn't that impressive just shows cops turned badly. It didn't have an explanation why the couples could not live together. The cast was ok but the acting was a bit over the top.
This movie was so damn predictable, it was annoying. I didn't enjoy it, I didn't expect much from it, and for that I thought I would at least enjoy it a little, but he was just too much of an asshole, and Patrick Wilson's charachter just kept falling into his trap everytime.
Pretty good movie. Could have a little more action for me. After all the suspense you have built up, they could've done a little better. Good story though.
Pretty good. They did a good job with all the subplots and symbolic themes, and it all came together pretty well. Good acting, good establishment of mood, and good suspense.
More crooked copness... or so it appears as hinted by the trailer. Turns out the cop ain't just a psychopathic Sam Jackson, but a psychopathic Sam Jackson with a... reasonable explanation (sort of). He's got a few loose screws, but he's an angry bigoted sumbitch. Just a guy who disapproves of an interracial couple who just moved in next door. Somehow the guy just loves to harass his new neighbors just 'cause he's got a badge on his side. The filmmakers want you to hate Sam Jackson, and I guess they succeed there.
But then the movie shifts into drama at some parts; mostly scenes that deal with the issue and characters trying to settle these differences. The sweet couple is cute enough to make you wanna eat 'em up; so perfect and whatnot. Then Sam steps in to fuck around with 'em, probably just because he can. Or maybe, he's just the annoying neighbor. What's his motive? Dunno... he explains a personal story that supposedly tells what set him off, but then again, he's a rough cop manhandling his suspects violently. Maybe he was all fucked up to begin with.
The trailer's misleading, the couple are lame and love to play it by the books, but a better script would've probably made things a bit better. Or maybe just focus solely on Sam Jackson's character since he's the only interesting person on the screen, and the sole character better developed, even though his actions and past are left in the blue. Maybe that's a good thing?
Neighbors gone wild that's what it should be called, Samuel Jackson is the most psycho neighbor ever, if he was my neighbor i would have definitely moved, but first burn his house seriously, i just wanted nothing more than punch him in that ugly face while watching this movie. A young interracial couple move into their dream home and are increasingly harassed by their next-door neighbor, a tightly wound black LAPD officer. When the couple decides to fight back the feud turns deadly.
Pretty decent movie. Sam Jackson is always as good and highly emotional as ever. The plot was pretty good, but coming towards the end I thought it started getting a little crazy. On a scale from one to ten I rate this movie a 7. I would recommend it...but you can wait until DVD release.
i went to see lakeview terrace with very litt expectations. man, i have to tell u, after this movie was over with i was completely blown away of how great this movie turned out. it was a very entertaining intense thriller. it kept me entertained & interested from start to finsh. it never had any boring spots which was good. it holds ur attention till the very end. samuel l. jackson loves to do wat he does best & that is stealing the show. he is basically wat made this movie worth watching. he gives a break through perfomance as a cop named abel tuner who atalks this new couple chirs & lisa mattson who moves next door to him. he starts to disturb the couple when he sees a interracial relationship between them. as the disturbing content grows, the couple starts to fight back abel by harassing him the same way he did to them. this is a must see for all viewers. overall i recommend this movie for suspense thriller & samuel l. jackson fans. it is one not to be missed. the best movie of the fall & year so far, 5 stars.
MCT:December 5, 2008
MCT:October 6, 2008
MCT:October 2, 2008
MCT:September 24, 2008
MCT:September 23, 2008
MCT:September 19, 2008
MCT:June 18, 2008
MCT:November 15, 2008
MCT:November 4, 2008
i went to see lakeview terrace with very litt expectations. man, i have to tell u, after this movie was over with i was completely blown away of how great this movie turned out. it was a very entertaining intense thriller. it kept me entertained & interested from start to finsh. it never had any boring spots which was good. it holds ur attention till the very end. samuel l. jackson loves to do wat he does best & that is stealing the show. he is basically wat made this movie worth watching. he gives a break through perfomance as a cop named abel tuner who atalks this new couple chirs & lisa mattson who moves next door to him. he starts to disturb the couple when he sees a interracial relationship between them. as the disturbing content grows, the couple starts to fight back abel by harassing him the same way he did to them. this is a must see for all viewers. overall i recommend this movie for suspense thriller & samuel l. jackson fans. it is one not to be missed. the best movie of the fall & year so far, 5 stars.
