Lakeview Terrace
for intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references.
Reviewed by: Brian C. Johnson
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults Teens |
| Genre: | Thriller Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 50 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2008 |
| USA Release: |
September 19, 2008 (2,400 theaters) DVD release: January 27, 2009 |
| Featuring |
Samuel L. Jackson Patrick Wilson Kerry Washington See all » |
| Director | Neil LaBute—“The Wicker Man,” “Nurse Betty” |
| Producer | John Cameron, Jeffrey Graup, James Lassiter, David Loughery, Will Smith |
| Distributor |
 Screen Gems, a division of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment |
“What could be safer than living next to a cop?”
In Matthew 19:19 Jesus commanded that we “love our neighbor;” he might not have been talking about those living on Lakeview Terrace. Starring Samuel L. Jackson (“Black Snake Moan,” “The Negotiator,” “Deep Blue Sea”) as the veteran police officer and candidate for worst-neighbor-ever, Abel Turner, Patrick Wilson, and Kerry Washington (“I Think I Love My Wife,” “The Last King of Scotland”) as the newly married first-time-home buyers Chris and Lisa Mattson, “Lakeview Terrace” takes the viewer on a never disappointing emotional roller coaster.
Chris and Lisa move into their first home with great dreams of building their family (although they disagree about the timing). The odds seem to be stacked against them as an interracial couple—even Lisa’s own father disapproves of their relationship. Turner is also not a big fan; his prejudice against the couple is the source of most of the disagreements between the neighbors. Tensions run high and tempers flare with neither side really wanting to back down. A.T. (Turner) spies on the couple, destroys their property, and sets an irreversible course of action that will lead to someone’s death. Chris and Lisa try to go to the police, but, their cries go unheard of since A.T. is a law man. Lisa’s father argues that A.T. has “the right color on his side… and that color is blue!”
Christian viewers may be pleasantly surprised to finally see a film with no nudity; however, there are scenes of sensuality and married sexuality. And, unfortunately, there is no shortage of coarse language, which seems par-for-the-course for Samuel L. Jackson characters.
“Lakeview Terrace” is a water cooler conversationalist’s dream—topics include race, prejudice and racism, interracial dating and marriage, the characteristics of good neighbors, marriage and family relations, police accountability, and so much more.
The movie is a thrill ride of twists and unexpected turns-of-events that kept me on the edge of my seats. If you can get past the bad language, this is a great movie.
Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Mild
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
I was very pleased with the redemption in this film, and how the good guys don’t give up. Wilson and Washington’s characters are clearly committed to each other as husband and wife, and even when they get mad at each other, they are determined not to let evil get the best of them and ruin their marriage. They are excellent role models.
That said, the reviewer is right. Yes, it is a great film, but yes, there is a lot of language. Also, although evil is consistently portrayed as evil and good wins in the end, some of the evil shown can get pretty disturbing. There is also some immodesty. Thankfully, all of the sexual innuendo is in the context of a lawful and very strong marriage. If you’re interested in this movie for its thrills, I promise there is so much more reason to watch it! Please don’t walk away from this film! I can’t wait to see it again. My Ratings: Moral rating: Average to Better Than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Moral rating: / Moviemaking quality: 5
SLJ's character also yells at a suicidal man, trying to help him commit suicide. Yes, the movie was well acted, but STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE! I was so shocked it was rated PG-13. This movie should have been rated “R.” No doubt about it.
Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
There are some scary parts… bad humor (trying to be funny but they're not)… fights… break-ins… intimate scenes… .
I like bits and pieces of it, but, overall, it's not anywhere near the top of my list.
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Morality of movie: There was a little bit of violence. Samuel L. Jackson’s character is shot at by a criminal. Later on in the movie, Jackson shoots a man in the back.
There were far too many swear words for this movie to be PG-13 rated. Last time I checked, I thought a PG-13 movie could only have one f-word. There were 2 “F bombs” and numerous “S bombs.” The taking of the Lord's name in vain was constant throughout the movie. There were also some racial slurs. The Bible says, “Let no corrupt communication come from your mouth.”
There were a few instances of very short sex scenes between a married couple. Patrick Wilson is also seen naked from the side while covering his front with a pillow.
Overall: This was a well made movie that I enjoyed watching, but I would definitely NOT take children to see this.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4