Review of Lakeview Terrace (2008) by Jennifer H — 30 Jul 2009

When most people think of real estate nightmares, it usually involves leaky basements and faulty wiring. However, the real nightmare on Lakeview Terrace is Abel Turner, a damaged, slightly psychotic police officer played by an energetic Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson maintains his reputation for being the hardest working man in movies, bringing the right balance of creepiness, humor, and aggression to Abel. Audience members won?t know whether to laugh or just feel uneasy when ever they see that crazed look in Abel?s eyes.

That is also the reaction that recent Bay-area transplants Chris and Lisa Mattson (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) experience when they move next door to Abel and are greeted by his interesting sense of humor. Right from the start, Abel takes issue with the young interracial couple, and does his best to encourage them to move. It?s at this point where the interesting premise of the movie goes a bit south. Abel?s antics, including flashing his flood lights directly into his neighbor?s master bedroom and possibly tampering with their air conditioning unit during a heat wave seem plausible enough. However, when he quickly moves to attacking landscaping with a chain saw, Abel and the movie itself loses its credibility. While Jackson is still quite amusing, audiences will think ?Come on...?

With the exception of Jackson, the film isn?t helped by the mediocre performances from Wilson and Washington. Though the pair has enough chemistry to be believable as a recently married couple in love, neither actor embodies the character (no matter if they are one dimensional) in the way that Jackson does. The audience doesn?t really care that Abel is tormenting Chris and Lisa. In fact, Abel?s character elicits more emotion when the audience is given a peek inside his life that seems to be crumbling before his eyes.

While I never expected Academy standard acting or a plot, Lakeview Terrace barely warrants a solid popcorn standard. It?s entertaining enough, for a night in front of the TV, but I wouldn?t recommend rushing to the box office unless you?re a bit desperate.