Lakeview Terrace (15)

Dec 30 2008 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A YOUNG couple’s dream move turns into a waking nightmare in Neil LaBute’s Lakeview Terrace.

Chris and Lisa Mattson, played by Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington, are optimistic newly-weds who arrive at their new Californian home looking for a slice of high living.

The property may be located in a gorgeously scenic suburb but the pair discover their house is not so luxurious as to preserve their privacy from the prying eyes of cop neighbour Abel Turner (Samuel L Jackson).

Turner, a divorced father-of-two, initially justifies his prurience as a defence of family values, but it quickly becomes apparent he has darker motivations. Turner duly unravels before our eyes in a career-best performance from Jackson that makes for a riveting watch.

The out-of-touch cop’s pent-up anger manifests itself in his victimisation of the increasingly nervy Mattsons, but Lakeview is far from being an anti-police statement.

Rating 4/5.

Andrew Welsh