Jackson saves ‘Lakeview Terrace’
It’s been done time and time again, in movies such as “Grumpy Old Men” and “Disturbia,” but for the young couple living next door to a cop, the phrase, “annoying neighbor” takes on all-new twists and turns.
Long-time member of the Los Angeles Police Department, Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson) gets a shocking surprise when he first catches a glimpse of his new, next-door neighbors, Chris and Lisa Mattson, an interracial couple.
Chris (Patrick Wilson) is a self-proclaimed liberal yuppie, who unknowingly offends Turner in nearly all of their encounters. Is he particularly offensive? No. Is Turner appalled by Chris’ relationship with his black wife, Lisa (Kerry Washington)? Yes.
Through sly, spiteful and vengeful actions, Turner does everything in his power to get the couple to move out of their home, and out of his life.
Throughout the movie, Jackson’s portrayal of Turner was absolutely brilliant. The instantaneous switch from a genuinely caring, widowed father of two, to the nonchalant villainous neighbor was breathtaking and spine-chilling. The look of evil in his eyes will not soon be forgotten by any viewer.
And that’s a good thing, because Wilson’s and Washington’s performances left much to be desired. Their relationship as a couple was hardly believable, and their chemistry was forced, at best.
“Lakeview Terrace” couldn’t have come out at a better time, if you’re rooting for the blue this election. In multiple scenes, when Chris, the good-guy, hero of the movie isn’t having it out with Turner, he turns into an advocate for social injustices, and global warming, while preaching the age-old phrase, “Why can’t we all just get along?”
Calling him out on most of these accounts is the big, bad cop, who’s constant preaching of “conservative” values to his children are undone to viewers by his nasty actions.
White or black, Democrat or Republican, I think most would agree that this movie was a bit over-the-top in terms of agenda, including the prolific advent of “reverse racism.” The only thing that confused me was that in a day where a black man is running for president on the liberal ticket, why would a movie with a liberal agenda make Jackson the bad guy?
I’m going to dig out my copy of W.E.B. Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk.” Now, enjoy the show.
Lakeview Terrace
In "Lakeview Terrace," a young couple 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 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.
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