Arlington Road
A Sony Pictures release

review by Joe Mauceri

PTA in this nieghborhood means "Potential Terrorist Assasins"

The death of his wife haunts Michael Faraday, an FBI Agent. He is dealing with it the best way he knows how. He teaches a college course on terrorism, pointing out to his students the mistakes the FBI can make. It was a series of such errors that resulted in his wife's tragic murder. Just when his life is returning to normal, in come his neighbors, Oliver and Cheryl Lang. There are little things about Michael's perfect neighbors he finds disturbing. Michael uses his resources to chip away at Oliver Lang's past and uncovers a few skeletons in the closet. His girlfriend and his wife's former colleague persuade him that he is too close to the subject and nor being objective. However, his girlfriend witnesses a series of events that rekindles Michael's suspicions and that his worst nightmare could be living right across the street from him. ARLINGTON ROAD is a perfect marriage of directorial vision and brilliant writing. Screenwriter Ehren Kruger tapes into a contemporary suburban nightmare. He employees past events that are current in everyone's mind to create intensity in the fiction. Pellington succeeds and developing strong characters, suspense and a fierce climax. Along the way he examines controversial issues, allowing both sides to have their fair say. It is a thought provoking and chilling debate. Bridges and Robbins shine, with the first Oscar Nomination worthy performances of 1999. Bridges allows the audience to experience the emotional roller-coaster ride of his character. They are pulling him on all sides, and you can feel his psyche unravel. His performance combines his finest work in films like "The Fisher King" and "Blown Away." Robbins provides a phenomenal contrast to Bridges' character. With the skill of a chameleon he switches between the dual natures of his character. Robbins has a wicked tongue, selling the insanity and horrors to an audience. Of course Joan Cusack is perfect as his wife. The cinematography, production designs and special effects all efficiently serve the story. ARLINGTON ROAD is about perspectives and point of view. What are we seeing? What is the character seeing? Are we seeing everything that is happening? Pellington proves he is an exception storyteller, creating a spectacular interaction between story and visuals. ARLINGTON ROAD is a powerful thriller, an exceptional nail-biter that would have Hitchcock on the edge of his seat. Pellington and Kruger weave an intricate pattern of suspense and mystery. The filmmakers take the gloves off and serve up an adult drama and commanding allegory. A surprising un-Hollywood, award worthy cinematic experience.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE:
www.arlingtonrd.com

BACK