Review of Lakeview Terrace (2008) by Matt W — 28 Aug 2009

Given the increasing tension throughout the film, I expected an ending that would pop - rather than fizzle and wither out. Nonetheless, Samuel L. is what holds this thing together - he has an onscreen intensity that adds gravitas to a character in a film that might otherwise become laughable and absurd.

The racial issues presented in the film are never really addressed - more of a subtext for a cop with a chip on his shoulder and a need to control people due to a personal event earlier in his life which he couldn't control.

Patrick Wilson does a dutiful job playing the stressed-out and frazzled neighbor trying hold down a job, keep his marriage together, and plan the future in his new home without the added stress of neighbor problems.

A decent, if thoroughly unremarkable, thriller.