Chris and Lisa Mattson have just bought their first home. Boiling with excitement, the interracial newlyweds can't wait to start their life together, both feeling that they have chosen the perfect neighborhood to do so. However, what they are not aware of is that Abel Turner, an uptight and angry police officer, lives next door. As days turn into weeks, Abel's growing hostility towards the innocent couple continues to increase as he attempts to work them out of their home. But on one smokey night, amid a fiery blaze, the most unexpected thing happens, the pair fights back. Taking Abel and his ego by surprise, the couple turns things around on the one who has sworn to 'protect and serve,' causing a tragic twist to Abel's ill perceived story.
Featuring a slew of talented actors, Lakeview Terrace had a lot going for it. From its clever and inventive premise to its stars Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington, the film seemed destined for success. Unfortunately, two things went terribly wrong.
For starters, the story, which was destined for greatness, fell flat on its face only minutes in. Sporting the problem of having a cop as the bad guy, the innocent couple had nowhere to turn and no one to seek out for help. However, within no time, the story had taken a hard turn southward as it failed to materialize in time, boring those in the audience as they slowly slipped off into an endless slumber.
Additionally, the film's lead was Samuel L. Jackson; need I say more? Becoming one of the most overused and non-respected actors in the business, Jackson has created an uphill fight for himself. From his roles in Snakes on a Plane and Jumper to his tragic turn in Black Snake Moan, the acting-whore has becoming a face that is too common and sadly, too generic to really spark an interest. I mean, the actor peaked almost thirteen years ago when he took audiences by storm with A Time to Kill, and now we have to suffer through pathetic roles like that of Abel?
And with all that said, I will get back to the film, and Jackson's miserable performance in it. Playing a man like Abel, Jackson had numerous opportunities to create drama, suspense and adrenaline; however, he didn't. Instead, Jackson seemed to be just going through the motions as he slowly rocked those watching into a long, deep sleep. His actions were emotionless, his temper unnerving and his character interactions unflattering. He shared no chemistry with his two co-stars, and that in and of itself, sent the film down a long hole, with no light in sight.
But on the other hand, I must credit both Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington for creating a stellar couple out of Chris and Lisa. Using realistic body interactions, heated emotions and carrying a sense of confusion and unknowing, both stars were able to accurately portray their characters as they created energy and intensity on-screen.
Sadly, the two actors were the only true spark as the film failed to gain the momentum needed to get off of the screen and into our minds and nerves. Instead of the classic cat and mouse chase film that we all hoped to see, Lakeview Terrace proves to be just another overhyped and unneeded drama that lacks both the suspense and integrity of being a well-done film.
