Lakeview Terrace (2008)

Based on a true story, a troubled and racist African-American L.A.P.D. Officer will stop at nothing to force out a friendly interracial couple who just moved in next door to him.

Director:

Neil LaBute

Writers:

David Loughery (screenplay), Howard Korder (screenplay)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Abel Turner
Patrick Wilson	...	Chris Mattson
Kerry Washington	...	Lisa Mattson
Ron Glass	...	Harold Perreau
Justin Chambers	...	Donnie Eaton
Jay Hernandez	...	Javier Villareal
Regine Nehy	...	Celia Turner
Jaishon Fisher	...	Marcus Turner
Robert Pine	...	Captain Wentworth
Keith Loneker	...	Clarence Darlington
Caleeb Pinkett	...	Damon Richards
Robert Dahey	...	Jung Lee Pak
Ho-Jung	...	Sang Hee Pak
Dallas Raines	...	TV Weatherman
Michael Sean Tighe	...	Manager

Storyline

In California, the Caucasian Chris Mattson and his African-American wife Lisa Mattson move to a house in a gated community. The racist and dysfunctional next-door neighbor is the abusive LAPD Officer Abel Turner who feels uncomfortable with the relationship of the newcomers and transforms their lives into Hell on Earth.

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Plot Keywords:

interracial couple | neighbor | suburb | double standard | suburbia | 

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Taglines:

What could be safer than living next to a cop?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the few PG-13 rated movies that was allowed to use the word "fuck" multiple times (twice within twenty seconds, neither in a sexual reference) and keep its PG-13 rating.

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Goofs

In the film, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department responds to calls in Lakeview Terrace. In real life, Lakeview Terrace is part of the city of Los Angeles, so the LAPD would respond.

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Quotes

Chris Mattson: Y'know what Abel? Fuck you.
Abel Turner: [laughs] Is that a 'We Are the World' fuck you?
Chris Mattson: No. It's a special one. Just for you.

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Connections

References Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008)

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Soundtracks

The Choice Is Yours (Revisited)
Written and Performed by Black Sheep
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Mediocre thriller

A young successful interracial couple move into a new home in an exclusive California neighborhood. Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson) and Lisa Mattson (Kerry Washington) are greeted with hostility by their new neighbor, LAPD Sergeant Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), a widower and single father with a son and daughter. Chris and Lisa attempt to be cordial with Abel, inviting him and his family to their home and attending a barbecue Abel throws for some of his fellow officers. Despite this, Abel keeps becoming more disruptive and aggressive to Chris and Lisa. This eventually leads to retaliation on Chris' part and a confrontation with tragic consequences.

This movie despite its racial overtones doesn't break any new ground as a thriller. Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington are a yuppie couple pushed too far and Sam Jackson as Abel is their disturbed neighbor/antagonist who wishes them harm. Definitely nothing new. The acting and script are okay with Sam Jackson's performance easily being the best. The ending is something that can be seen coming a mile away. This film is something you would watch on a slow day if it came on cable.

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 September 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lakeview Terrace

Filming Locations:

1100 N. Deer Creek Drive, Walnut, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,004,672, 21 September 2008

Gross USA:

$39,263,506

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$44,655,002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Screen Gems, Overbrook Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1