Rama's Screen

If Samuel L. Jackson was my next door neighbor, hell I’d chill with him every day after work, I’d be flattered if he called me a mothaF*cka but Sam Jackson in this movie is the kind of neighbor from hell nobody wants to have around. LAKEVIEW TERRACE is a movie that’s… more than just about disturbance in the surburbs. It touches on issues of interracial couples, and the prejudice or stereotype people have about it. The movie brings up issues that unfortunately some people have at the back of their heads but too uncomfortable to express it. It’s a great character study, in my opinion

A young couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) 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 (Samuel L. Jackson) 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.

People that think that living in the suburbs is like paradise, away from the slums, and the noises of the big cities better think again. Because I’ve been to different suburbs and my friends have lived in those areas and trust me, people living there are just as hypocrite and fake as everybody living elsewhere. Ya know how they say, you can take the person out of the hood but you can’t take the hood out of the person.

The way I see it, Patrick Wilson’s character, Chris is not far different from Sam Jackson’s character, Abe Turner.
Both people are control freaks. Chris thinks he can handle everything without consulting his wife and Abe thinks his way is the only right way for his children to grow up in. When it comes to secrets, Chris may not be as extreme as Abe because working with Criminals certainly beats smoking habits anytime.
Abe turner is angry because he blames white folks for taking everything including his marriage and Chris is angry because he’s sick and tired of people always seeing his marriage as black and white instead of just a normal married couple like everybody else. Chris is a white man trying to be black and Abe Turner is a black man who’s as uptight as the white people he dislikes.

Of course, the big theme in this movie is race, stemming from a personal grudge. It escalates into a little war between two homes. And this is what makes this movie interesting and I gotta give the credits to screenwriters David Loughery and Howard Korder for coming up with an intriguing storyline that includes a series dialogue that clearly shows how intense situations are getting by the minute. You watch this movie, appalled by some of the words said by the characters and what motivates them to respond the way they do.. it’s those moments of “oh no, he did not just say that!”

The movie doesn’t necessarily show us suburbia in general or the big scale.. mainly these two homes, but it does contain its elements such as the expectations people have about living in the suburbs, the kind of cars that would be in the area. I wish I could somehow come up with something profound regarding the Forest fire, maybe as it gets closer to where they live, it’s a sign of how things are climaxing for the worst.
Samuel L. Jackson, much respect for his career, the man clearly knows how to act and he knows which button to press to make us hate him in this movie. He’s good at playing one of those folks who’d smile in front of your face but would scheme something deviant behind your back. Sam Jackson is the man! Terrific actor!

* Place the cursor on the image below to check my grade for this film