When is having a policeman next door a bad thing? Chris and Lisa Mattson (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) find out in Lakeview Terrace, when they move in to an upscale Californian neighborhood.
They appear to be happily setting in, until they meet Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), an opinionated law enforcement officer.
As time passes, the Mattsons are offended by Turner, and Turner’s insistence on having a light on his house directed into the Mattson’s bedroom is only the start.
Turner particularly embarrasses Chris by sharing secrets, such as the fact that he smokes, with Lisa. In addition, Turner aggressively proves that not only does he dislikes his neighbors, but is unwilling to passively sit-back and accept their residence in the neighborhood.
This harsh side of Turner is eerily countered by his role as a father in the movie. At times, he seems like a loving father. Other times, his stringent rules make the viewers want to call child services. As Turner’s past is revealed, his motive, apparently racially based, becomes more pronounced, as does his desire to torment the Mattsons.
Jackson was born to star as Abel Turner. His forceful manner and threatening persona caused readers to fear his power, and wonder what limits he would extend to in order to harass his neighbors.
I never had any difficulty believing the credibility of his character. He was fully committed to the role, and portrayed Turner as the character needed to convincingly aggravate his perfectly cordial neighbors. Wilson and Washington, while both well suited for the roles, did not nearly contribute as much emotion to their characters. Their anonymity as actors made their character portrayals enjoyable, but forgettable.
Unexpectedly, this movie was a gripping psychological thriller. While mundane and predictable throughout parts, it seemed fresh in comparison to the clichéd horror movie phenomenon that exists in the present movie industry.
The location of the film was beautiful and encompassed many smaller plots, such as the California wild fires. The set was well designed and brought viewers into the mix of the disgruntled suburban neighborhood.
The script was nothing extraordinary, but Turner had some particularly memorable lines. His short, rhetorical questions such as “Or what?” or “Says who?” often left Chris speechless, and played perfectly into his character still.
Unlike so many predictable suspense films however, Lakeview Terrace still had me sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering how the conclusion would play out. As more was found out about each character, I continually amended what I thought the finale would bring.
How could a loving father become a symbol of downright terror, once outside the walls of his house?
Lakeview Terrace is sure to provide nerve-wracking entertainment, if not also a new perspective on living next to a police man.
Kerry Washington meets Jackson’s children.
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