Lakeview Terrace (DVD, 2009)

The film moves pretty fast and always seems to have something pushing it along. Contention with neighbors is not my favorite subject, however, it beats many other subjects that are more unpleasant.

Samuel Jackson plays Abel Turner, a veteran, but widowed LAPD officer who lives with his daughter Celia (Regine Nehy) & Son Marcus (Jaishon Fisher) on Lakeview Terrace in the hills. He is extremely strict on his children. His protective nature obscures any affection for his children. We almost feel sorry for this man who has a chip on his shoulder, however, we know that his judgemental attitudes towards others has turned him this way. Director Labute knows that these small character flaws will cause extra tension in our emotions as things between his neighbors finally come to a head. We see this man as flawed, not just some faceless criminal. Despite a wildfire getting closer, things are routine on Lakeview. Turner patrols the neighborhood at night, he loves his job and wants nothing more than to protect his family. Things change however when a new couple move in next door. The fact that husband Chris (Patrick Wilson) wife Lisa (Keri Washington) are interracial is only the fuel for Turner's contempt. When Turner's 2 children witness a late-night skinny dip by these two newlyweds, the fire erupts and the two men's lives spiral out of control in total rage.

Turner's life has been scarred and ruptured by the death of his wife, who was killed in a car accident with her white lover while engaging in an affair – something that understandably has been festering in Turner's craw for some time.

When the purchasers of the house next door turn out to be a racially mixed couple, Turner begins transposing his hatred on them as proxies for his wife's transgressions.

Initially Turner's intimidating ways seem focused on bullying his new liberal neighbors into maintaining decorum and giving his kids a wide berth, but things soon progress into unstable territory as his years of being an alpha male with a gun and a badge begin to get the best of him. With each successful intimidation, Turner becomes emboldened to become a law unto himself.

LaBute frames Turner's exploits against the backdrop of an escalating brush fire in the neighboring hills, which serves as metaphor for Turner's growing inner rage that threatens to consume the property and lives of everyone involved. LaBute's execution has all the subtlety of a gun butt to the head, which may actually have been his intention, given how he likely figured the audience would be comprised of escapist, action-seeking types not generally known for reflecting upon humanity's shortcomings.

Jackson does everything asked of him as he shows the progression of what at first seems to be a well-intentioned and loving parent, into an unbridled bully. The problem comes in the film's final act as the story culminates in a forced cacophony that pushes the boundary of believability over the edge. A small dose of well timed restraint would have transformed this movie from a semi-decent popcorn muncher into a more serious vehicle for reflection on human values and prejudices.

There are several things that are really hard to believe. After the daylight break-in where the robber gets shot by Turner, Chris rings the robbers telephone and Turner answers. There are several fallacies about this scenario. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid is what I say. This is an easy way wrap up the plot.

Features Actors: Samuel L. Jackson, Kerry Washington & Patrick Wilson
Running Time:110 Min.
Rating: PG-13


In Lakeview Terrace, Samuel L. Jackson is Turner,Abel Turner a segregationist minded, super-spiteful angry black man, and then some. He's also a brazen veteran LAPD cop who seems to specialize in highly illegal, out of control brutal enforcement methods, which tends to put anyone who riles him up for whatever reason on or off the job, in potential harm's way. A widower, Turner lives with his rebellious teen daughter in a suburban home that appears a little on the lavish side for a cop, and he's one of those 24/7 kinda control freak officers and compulsive Peeping Sams who enjoys butting into neighbors' lives, under the pretext of community safety.
And when a couple purchases the house next door, Turner is fine with it because the wife and her husband, who looks old enough to be her father, are both black. But when Turner figures out that the man hanging around with Lisa (Kerry Washington) really is her father, and that it's the meek white guy (Patrick Wilson) he thought was the moving man who's her spouse, he goes into quiet ballistic mode. And from then on, it's Turner's intent to make the couple's lives as miserable as possible, leading to tragic consequences all around.

Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :)

Samuel L. Jackson Stars in this cop gone bad action movie set in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California.

Jackson (Star of many films including: Star Wars, Jumper, & Iron Man) plays Abel Turner, a Los Angeles Police Officer who has a chip on his shoulder, especially toward his new neighbors an African-American wife (Kerry Washington) and her white husband, (Patrick Wilson).

Jackson's character cannot seem to come to grips with the inter-racial couple and his attitude toward the couple shows right from the first time they meet.

Using his position as Police Officer, Jackson makes their lives a living hell.

The movie is well acted, however the plot is pretty predictable.

Jackson will not win any awards for his part but he did a great job acting his part in this film.

Rated a 4 of 5 for a good story that perhaps everyone can learn from.

director neil labuteknows that few things are as frightening as an authority figure abuses his power, and he makes that clear in this movie. samuel jackson stars as abel turner an ultra conservative los angeles policeman who starts a vendetta against a couple that moves next door to him. samual jacksons character doesn't approve of their interracial marriage and he is equally offended by their liberal political views.

the movie is well acted but loses steam with an over the top finale. this movie is worth the time to pick up and watch.

Jackson stars as a Cop who dislikes his new neighbors a interracial couple who just moved next door..he dedicates his life to making their lives miserable..when his attacks take a dangerous turn his next door neighbors fight back..filled with action suspense and a twist that no one will see coming this movie is alot of fun to watch..I give this flick 5 out of 5 bars!!