A great villain in ‘Lakeview Terrace’
“Lakeview Terrace” would be just another run-of-the-mill suspense, stalker film if it wasn't for the talents of Samuel L. Jackson.
Even a less-than-stellar script can be compensated for with a really good actor playing a really good villain.
Just think of the greatest film villain of them all, Robert Mitchum, as the nasty in “Night of the Hunter” and the original “Cape Fear.”
Jackson plays that kind of role in “Lakeview Terrace.” He has the ability to smile and say nice words while sending a cold shiver down your spine.
Jackson is Abel Turner, a stern widower who rules his two children with an iron fist. His wife died under mysterious circumstances while riding with her boss.
Enter the new neighbors, Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson) and his wife, Lisa (Kerry Washington).
Ron Glass, formerly of "Barney Miller" fame, plays Lisa's rich father.
Abel takes an instant dislike to the interracial couple and starts playing mind games that escalate into real violence. Oh yeah, and Abel is a Los Angeles police officer. So who is the couple going to complain to?
The Wilson character quickly learns living next to the Jackson character won't be easy. He has strong security lights posted about his home that shine into the Wilsons' bedroom. Abel smiles and says he will take care of the lighting problem, but never does.
His dislike for the couple grows when he and his children can see them having sex at their pool.
Rich daddy Glass doesn't help the matters. While discussing problems with the new neighbors, he barely acknowledges Patrick's existence until Patrick asks that he address them both. Glass's character suggests they leave their "starter" home and buy another one with his help. The starter home looks pretty decent in size, with a full-sized swimming pool and a to-die-for view. The view becomes another character in the film when a wildfire in the valley gets closer and closer.
It's not the only wildfire in this film. Jackson's character hires a man to smash up the couple's home during a block party. When wife goes home early, Jackson is forced to shoot the man, turning the swimming pool a shade of pink.
The suspense mounts toward the violent ending. I won't give that away. But if you like movies with really bad guys and a shoreline that actually improves as the plot progresses, check out “Lakeview Terrace.” You might even appreciate your neighbor more.
LAKEVIEW TERRACE • Directed by Neil labile • Screenplay by David Laugher and Howard Order • Runtime: 110 minutes • Rated PG-13 for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references • Three stars out of four
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