Lakeview Terrace (2008)

DVDBright Star (DVD)
08/03/2010 | Nikki Baughan

Poetry in motion... It’s 1818, and young Fanny Brawne (Abbie Cornish) is more interested in fashion than men, and when she meets 23-year-old poet John Keats (Ben Wishaw) she thinks his work - and his character - somewhat lacking. Over time, however, Fanny comes to realise the [ ... ]

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DVDAn Education (DVD)
08/03/2010 | Nikki Baughan

Life lessons Directed by Danish film-maker Lone Scherfig, An Education is a coming of age drama is set in early 1960s Twickenham. Adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir, the story revolves around intelligent teenage schoolgirl Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who has her hea [ ... ]

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More DVD Reviews

Written by Nikki Baughan Sunday, 29 March 2009 00:00

DVD

Everybody needs good neighbours...

When husband and wife Chris (Wilson) and Jill (Washington) move into Lakeview Terrace they think they’ve found their dream job. But that’s before they’ve met their new neighbour, cop Abel Turner (Jackson) - a single father whose strict moral code has veered into dangerous obsession following the death of his wife three years previously. Abel makes it clear he does not approve of Chris and Jill’s inter-racial relationship, and the couple are soon engaged in a battle of wills thatquickly, and violently, gets out of hand.

As LaBute plays out this explosive tale of race relations against the backdrop of rampaging Californian wildfires, it’s obvious he’s trying to make a point about the continuing problem of racism – from whatever angle – in modern American society, and particularly in the hotbed of LA. Unfortunately, however, it’s difficult to take the issue seriously when it’s personified by Jackson’s maniacal, pantomime villain, whose increasingly outlandish attempts to oust Chris and Jill descend into the farcical. And the louder Lakeview Terrace shouts about racial tension, the less seriously one can take it.

The film shouldn’t be written off completely, though. As a straightforward thriller it’s not all that bad, with Jackson clearly relishing the off-the-wall intensity of his character as well as giving us glimpses of the loneliness and vulnerability that fuels his passionate rage. Despite his performance, however, the film buckles under the weight of its lofty themes. 3 stars

Extra Features
Both the DVD and Blu-Ray contain an enthusiastic director and cast commentary, and there’s also deleted scenes plus three behind the scenes featurette. 3 stars

ROLL CREDITS...
Stars Samuel L Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington
Director Neil LaBute
Certificate 15
Distributor Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Format DVD and Blu-Ray
Released March 30th

DVD Reviews Archive

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The Wrestler DVD (2008)	Gonzo: The Life and Work of Hunter S Thompson (2008)	Inkheart (2008)	The Tattooist (2007)
Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)	All Tomorrow's Parties (DVD)	Che: Parts One and Two (2008)	He's Just Not That Into You (2009)
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Paul Blart: Mall Cop DVD	Fireflies in the Garden DVD	Passengers (2008)	Bottle Shock DVD (2008)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)	The Boat That Rocked (2009)	Cadillac Records (2008)	Transporter 3 (2008)
Just Another Love Story (DVD)	Knowing (2009)	Doubt (2008)	Friday the 13th (2009)
Traitor (2008)	Delta on DVD	Anything For Her (DVD)	Summer Scars (DVD)
Dead Snow (2009)	Whiteout (DVD)	Stardust (Blu-ray)	Big River Man (DVD)
Dorian Gray (DVD)	The Taking of Pelham 123 (DVD)	In the Electric Mist (DVD)	Love Happens (DVD)
Harper's Island (DVD)	Away We Go (DVD)	The Vanishing of the Bees (DVD)	Sin Nombre (DVD)
Halloween II (DVD)	Paper Heart (DVD)	Aliens in the Attic (DVD)	DVD & Blu-ray Reviews: Feb 8 2010
Long Weekend (DVD)	DVD & Blu-ray Reviews: Feb 15, 2010	Adam (DVD)	Open Graves (DVD)
Bright Star (DVD)	An Education (DVD)

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DVD Highlight

An Education

Directed by Danish film-maker Lone Scherfig, An Education is a coming of age drama is set in early 1960s Twickenham. Adapted by Nick Hornby from Lynn Barber’s memoir, the story revolves around intelligent teenage schoolgirl Jenny (Carey Mulligan) who has her head turned by the much older David (Peter Sarsgaard). As her burgeoning romance with David sweeps her along in a whirlwind of expensive presents, foreign trips and increasingly adult pursuits, Jenny is forced to decide between continuing her education and following her feelings.

READ FULL REVIEW: An Education