Civic Duty (2006)

Director:

Jeff Renfroe

Writer:

Andrew Joiner (written by)

Release Date:

11 September 2008 (Brazil)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The War On Terror Just Came Home

Plot:

An American accountant bombarded with cable news and the media's obsession with terrorist plots in the post 9-11 world, receives a jolt when an unattached Islamic graduate student moves in next door.

Plot Keywords:

Accountant | Neighbor | FBI Agent | Paranoia | Suspicion

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Krause	...	Terry Allen
Kari Matchett	...	Marla Allen
Richard Schiff	...	FBI Agent Tom Hilary
Khaled Abol Naga	...	Gabe Hassan
Ian Tracey	...	Lieutenant Randall Lloyd
Vanesa Tomasino	...	Bank Teller
Laurie Murdoch	...	Loan Officer
Michael Roberds	...	Post Office Clerk
Agam Darshi	...	Nurse
Mark Brandon	...	Night Anchor Bret Anderson
Brenda Crichlow	...	Day Anchor Tricia Wise (as Brenda M. Crichlow)
Val Cole	...	Morning Anchor Susan Harwood
Mark Docherty	...	News Reporter Chad Winslow
Michael St. John Smith	...	Legal Analyst
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Govenor Bradley

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some threatening situations.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK | USA | Canada

Language:

English | Arabic

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:M18 | UK:15 | Finland:K-13 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Intandem Films

Trivia:

The cast has strong ties to Aaron Sorkin's television projects: Peter Krause starred as anchor Casey McCall in _"Sports Night" (1998)_, Richard Schiff was communications director Toby Ziegler on _"The West Wing" (1999)_, and Kari Matchett did a five-episode run on _"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006)_ as attorney Mary Tate.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: All the news scrolls go from left to right, but news scrolls go right to left (at least in languages that read left to right) so you see the first words first. This makes it impossible to read. The filmmakers did this intentionally, and it's up to the viewer to decide why they did it this way.

Roller Coaster Ride!

This movie was one hell of a roller-coaster ride! I caught the final Tribeca Film Festival screening on the Upper West Side. People were waiting outside on the waiting list line for hours, offering three times the amount for tickets. It was crazy. I planned ahead and although tempted to make a quick buck and sell my tix I went in (my wife loves Peter Krause).

The movie is a slow gradual buildup and like an old fashioned roller-coaster, you feel an undercurrent of tension building as the plot builds and builds as you ascend into world of Terry Allen (Krause) and than... JUST LIKE THAT.. you are dropped for the ride of a lifetime with twists and turns, loops that all comes to an immediate stop.

Peter Krause delivers the performance of a lifetime. If you thought he could sell coffins, you'll become addicted to his knockout performance compounded by the paranoia we all felt after 9/11. You actually feel like you are in his head throughout the entire movie. This boy has acting chops.

Richard Schiff was flawless in his portrayal of the FBI agent who is over-extended with phone call after phone call of "the terrorist next door" situations which is a drain on his once "dignified" job.

Khaled Abol Naga was a tremendous surprise. In the Q&A following the movie, I was surprised to learn English was his second language. His look, delivery of his dialouge and looks he gives Peter Krause's character throughout the movie earn our sympathy and never lets you off your guard as to "is he or isn't he" the terrorist next door.

An excellent movie with the perfect cast that had the potential to collapse in the last scene. But it didn't' let down (a masterful manipulation that I will not spoil for you).

The roller-coaster came to a stop and like a little boy I wanted to run outside get on line again and go for another spin.

But, it was the last screening...

A great film!