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The shocking thrilling and damn right superb Arlington Road was released on the big screen back in 1999 and failed because of the content of the film. Only making a mere $26,000,000 at the US Box Officer because of the ending and the lack of understanding the audience had for the film, this film left me shaken and stirred at the end and is absolutely unmissable.
After two years of college teacher Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) and his ten year old Grant (Spencer Clark ñ Gladiator) son both trying to come to terms with the death of Michaelís wife they befriend a neighbour down Arlington Road. Suddenly things start to look better, Grant befriends the Langís son, Michael has someone to share his pain with and talk to.
But every family has a dark secret and as the families become closer Michael starts having misgivings about Oliver, there just isnít something right about him. From a small white lie Michael begins to investigate Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack). He then discovers that the Langs arenít all they claim to beÖ
From the first scene which already has you hooked to the very final which leaves you breathless, Arlington Road seizes to shock and amaze. Some might disapprove because of the ending, whilst others might leap for joy and quote ëAt last, someone has done ití, but either way you canít disapprove of the performances from Tim Robbins, Jeff Bridges and Joan Cusack. I was especially impressed with Robbins and the way he was able to play the distorted father but yet the friendly man youíd go to in your need of help. Cusack was ultimately evil as the mother and Bridges gives the performance of a lifetime as the helpless father.
The tension is always there and director Mark Pellington knew just how to keep the audience interested. He leaves no time wasting and youíre hit straight into the thick of it in the first scene when Faraday discovers a boy bleeding all over walking down the street. Michael then feels guilty that this boy lived just across the road and he never even knew him, and that day he held his life in his hands.
Whilst around there one night with his girl friend Faraday notices that Oliver lied about a project he was working on. Being the curious man he is, he begins to investigate using everything in his power to find the truth that finally leads him to the belief that Oliver is a terrorist.
There isnít a lot more that I can say without giving the plot away but this is something that should not be missed and it is a surprise to me that the film is so unpopular. If any of you have seen this masterpiece then please give me your views.
Thanks
Nice Guy
After two years of college teacher Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) and his ten year old Grant (Spencer Clark ñ Gladiator) son both trying to come to terms with the death of Michaelís wife they befriend a neighbour down Arlington Road. Suddenly things start to look better, Grant befriends the Langís son, Michael has someone to share his pain with and talk to.
But every family has a dark secret and as the families become closer Michael starts having misgivings about Oliver, there just isnít something right about him. From a small white lie Michael begins to investigate Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack). He then discovers that the Langs arenít all they claim to beÖ
From the first scene which already has you hooked to the very final which leaves you breathless, Arlington Road seizes to shock and amaze. Some might disapprove because of the ending, whilst others might leap for joy and quote ëAt last, someone has done ití, but either way you canít disapprove of the performances from Tim Robbins, Jeff Bridges and Joan Cusack. I was especially impressed with Robbins and the way he was able to play the distorted father but yet the friendly man youíd go to in your need of help. Cusack was ultimately evil as the mother and Bridges gives the performance of a lifetime as the helpless father.
The tension is always there and director Mark Pellington knew just how to keep the audience interested. He leaves no time wasting and youíre hit straight into the thick of it in the first scene when Faraday discovers a boy bleeding all over walking down the street. Michael then feels guilty that this boy lived just across the road and he never even knew him, and that day he held his life in his hands.
Whilst around there one night with his girl friend Faraday notices that Oliver lied about a project he was working on. Being the curious man he is, he begins to investigate using everything in his power to find the truth that finally leads him to the belief that Oliver is a terrorist.
There isnít a lot more that I can say without giving the plot away but this is something that should not be missed and it is a surprise to me that the film is so unpopular. If any of you have seen this masterpiece then please give me your views.
Thanks
Nice Guy
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*Breaks the news to Votty gently*
You are actually sadly mistaken on that one. There is a lot of sweating and a hell of an ironic ending that just makes me leap for joy. Oh and read my other topic, please.
You are actually sadly mistaken on that one. There is a lot of sweating and a hell of an ironic ending that just makes me leap for joy. Oh and read my other topic, please.
And then there's a big "NNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" in a really deep, slowed down voice. Am I right?
It was a bit below the belt but it did the trick. So? Anyone seen this film apart from I Am The Tarrant? It's not very popular but so damn good I'm gonna watch it again later until I know the whole script like I used to with Jurassic Park.
'It's authorised to be here Michael, WE'RE all authorised to be here........everyone except you.'
*Dramatic music + lots of running in slow motion*
'It's authorised to be here Michael, WE'RE all authorised to be here........everyone except you.'
*Dramatic music + lots of running in slow motion*
Oooooh cheap shot...:-)
Darth Myst wrote:
> The_Vottanator wrote:
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've
> just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review. :-)
you shouldnt have said that....
Ah yes but he also won for the day before, so in the end everyone got just what they deserved, apart from this post. It was damn merd, there must have been some awful reviews on that day, ain't that right Vottanator? : - )
> The_Vottanator wrote:
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've
> just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review. :-)
you shouldnt have said that....
Ah yes but he also won for the day before, so in the end everyone got just what they deserved, apart from this post. It was damn merd, there must have been some awful reviews on that day, ain't that right Vottanator? : - )
The_Vottanator wrote:
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review. :-)
you shouldnt have said that....
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review. :-)
you shouldnt have said that....
I knew nothing of the film but the name and after reading this it sounds to be a good piece well worth watching. Well done on the FAD, do what you wish with it..
After writing the review I thought I'd sit down and watch it again last night. Boy, it still has it. I don't know what it has but you just can't turn the other way for a single second. Jeff Bridges is superb and Tim Robbins is showing how well he can play one role and then change to the other and as for Joan Cusack, well she is just plain evil.
You get right into the action and after the incident where Faraday becomes suspicious of the building plan the plot thickens......
You get right into the action and after the incident where Faraday becomes suspicious of the building plan the plot thickens......
The_Vottanator wrote:
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review.
My God, aren't we in the mood for a FAD at the moment? Besides I was trying to get Your Honour to see the light and go rent the damn film it won't win as
1) It took about 5 minutes to do
2) It was a pile of crap
3) I wrote it
All valid points and I look forward to seeing your name on the FAD winners list.
> I really hope you don't win FAD for that since I've just posted a Way of the
> Dragon review.
My God, aren't we in the mood for a FAD at the moment? Besides I was trying to get Your Honour to see the light and go rent the damn film it won't win as
1) It took about 5 minutes to do
2) It was a pile of crap
3) I wrote it
All valid points and I look forward to seeing your name on the FAD winners list.
I've not seen Arlington Road but I already know the ending so it's been slighly ruined for me.
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