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Lakeview Terrace (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Scary, racism-themed thriller isn't for kids.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the plot of this film -- which has very strong content for a PG-13 -- is driven by escalating violence, cruelty, and racism (much of it directed toward a racially mixed couple). A policeman is portrayed as unbalanced, aggressive, and threatening. Gunshots are fired out of and near an apartment where a husband holds his wife and baby hostage, and shoot-outs at close range result in the bloody deaths of two men. A policeman punches a suspect with a rifle, slaps his teen daughter in the face, and breaks the law to cover up his actions. Mildly sexual scenes involve a caring husband and wife kissing and hugging, with partial male nudity seen from the rear. There's also a fair amount of strong language (including "s--t" and "f--k"), smoking, and social drinking.

Positive messages: The plot revolves around an African-American man's subtle and overt prejudice toward a mixed-race couple. Constant references to racial stereotypes and a parody of African-American behavior and language mostly by seemingly self-deprecating African-American character. A police officer exhibits aggressive behavior, a hot temper, and racist sensibility.
Violence: Point-blank shooting of a conspirator by a policeman is followed by a bloody fall into a swimming pool; shots are fired through the door into an apartment with a woman and child inside; police officer with gun chases suspect; a man holds a gun to his own neck, threatening suicide; a policeman punches a suspect hard with rifle; a father slaps his teen daughter in the face with great force; attempted rape of the pregnant lead female character; final bloody chase and shootout includes fierce physical fight, car crash, and multiple direct bullet hits.
Sex: A married couple hugs and kisses lovingly in many scenes and engage in post-sex cuddling on one occasion; a man is glimpsed in the nude from behind; scantily dressed lap dancers perform briefly and try to entice men at a bachelor party; two children watch a married couple embracing and kissing in a swimming pool.
Language: Frequent use of words like "s--t," "bitch," the many permutations of "ass," "hell," "bastard," and "dammit" occasional use of more intense cursing: "f--k," "p---y," "prick." One use of the "N" word.
Consumerism: U-Haul truck, RE/MAX Realty sign.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A lead character sneaks cigarettes and smokes in private. Social drinking in several scenes: neighborhood parties, wine with dinner, relaxing with a beer, drinking in moderation in a bar. Heavy drinking and drunkenness depicted at a bachelor party.
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More on Lakeview Terrace

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how and why the filmmakers use racism to update the age-old story of feuding neighbors. Is this an effective choice? Why or why not? Is the movie trying to equate the danger of the advancing wildfires to the danger of the advancing personal racism? How do the climaxes of both events work together to resolve the story? What other issues come into play in the movie besides race?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When racially mixed couple Lisa and Chris Mattson (Kerry Washington and Patrick Wilson) arrive in their new suburban Los Angeles neighborhood, they're greeted with hostility by Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), their African-American next-door neighbor. Rigid and seething with irra'ional latent anger, Abel -- a policeman who's raising two children by himself -- is the self-appointed marshal of Lakeview Terrace, and he's threatened by the Mattsons' Yuppie values, as well as the racial implications of their marriage. A series of confrontations heightens the antagonism and sets the neighbors against each other, escalating into a dangerous struggle -- all as a wildfire threatens to destroy the community.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The early scenes of LAKEVIEW TERRACE are promising, with solid dialogue, a commanding performance by Jackson, and a thought-provoking twist that finds the super-bright African-American character portrayed as a bigot. Unfortunately, as the movie moves toward its formulaic, blood-spattered conclusion, these elements are misused, even exploited, to tell a routine story that's heavy with violence and too-obvious menace.

The filmmakers make a cursory effort to explain their villain's motives, but it's flimsy and comes too late. A subplot dealing with the marital problems aggravated by the young couple's predicament is well-intended but unoriginal and tedious. Director Neil LaBute is noted for his provocative filmmaking, but this is one of his lesser efforts.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Screen Gems
Director: Neil LaBute
Cast: Kerry Washington, Patrick Wilson, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: September 18, 2008
DVD release: January 27, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: intense thematic material, violence, sexuality, language and some drug references.
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This review was written by Renee Schonfeld
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say violence is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue
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Most useful reviews by all members

zc97
teen, 15 years old
12
 
I think it was a good movie, but it has too many inappropriate things. Don't let your kids watch it.
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Ldude407
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Ok, if you have the time to watch.
This was a ok movie. It does have some violence as in shooting and maybe so fist fighting. There is a scene at a bachelor's party, were i'm guessing strippers in very skimpy outfits dance very promiscuously on a man.
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cutiepie1224
adult
16
 
BAD FOR ANYONE!
Its just so disgusting see im 20 and i dont even watch cuase there is so much porn!
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4Spice
adult
12
 
okay 12 and up
has some funny parts and some good points but not worth buying 12 and over for violence and sex if you guys want to see a classic that Sam Jackson plays in with bruce willis go watch the movie die hard 3 with a vengence you'll love the movie
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eastside01
teen, 17 years old
11
 
Lakeview Terrace is great for Sam Jackson cause he got paid.
Lakeview Terrace is nothing new for Sam Jackson and i'm beginning to think he's just doing movies for the money.
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rkopp22
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Dramtic and Good!
It's a good movie. People say it has "strong content" and is too scary for children under 18, but I think a 12 year old like myself is old enough to know police officers aren't "bad" or "mean" like this one is portrayed in the movie. It's dramatic and at times a little scary, but if you like thrillers, there's no reason a 12 year old shouldn't see this.
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kayvan_922
teen, 16 years old
12
 
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Audrey McIntosh
educator and parent of 4 , 9 , and 13 year old
14
 
You Can't Trust Your Own Neighbors
I just rented this-- terrible plot and so evil. Did not leave me with a good feeling when it was over. Kids absolutely do NOT need to see this.
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ExtremeNJB
teen, 17 years old
14
 
Worth A Rentel
this was a entertaining worth renting movie.
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branman1104
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Not the best Samuel L. Jackson movie
This movie has its fare share of action and sexual themes. Language is the same. You would think that for a samuel l. jackson movie there would be more action and violence but it is actually pretty limited. There are two f words and a lot of sh*s. The couple that lives next door to able is usually doing something sex related at night but no nudity is visible.
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Jumanji-lover
adult
14
 
Excellent movie
I liked it. It had quite the variety of language in there, and plenty of racism, but a VERY good film.
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