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

A Google Earth Street View camera car photographed the cul-de-sac during production. Users could view North Deer Creek Drive in Walnut, California, using Street View, to see film crew and set hardware in place. The street view image has now been updated to a newer version at a later date.

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Goofs

Abel is watering down his tile roof to prevent wildfire damage. Being a very hands-on homeowner, he would know that is unnecessary. That is why tile roofing is used in those areas.

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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

Featured in Welcome to Lakeview Terrace: Behind the Scenes (2009)

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Soundtracks

Dot
Written by Beyoncé (as Beyonce Knowles), Errol "Poppi" McCalla
Performed by Destiny's Child
Courtesy of Columiba Records
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment

User Reviews

Should have been Lakeview Terror instead...

A nicely done thriller thanks to Samuel L. Jackson's terrifying performance as the uptight father and a ruthless cop and some powerful support performances from Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington. I am not familiar with some of Neil LaBute's previous efforts but Lakeview Terrace gives off a good impression. He handles the subject of racism pretty well. Its not overdone, its not too preachy, it just told a fairly good story and that was it. No pretensions, no melodramatic mumbo jumbo that has often plagued films that takes on such delicate topics on screen. It topped the box-office when it was released all thanks to Samuel J's star power and here's hoping more people will see this movie. If you want your daily dose of thrillers, then Lakeview Terrace is a must see. But don't expect much though, its just a little film taking on big, controversial subjects that is relevant in this day and age.

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