Arlington Road Reviews

ONE OF THE BEST ENDINGS I HAVE EVER SEEN

Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) and his 10 year old son, Grant (Spencer Treat Clark) are both trying to come to terms with the loss two years earlier of Michael?s wife, Grant?s mother. When they befriend a family from across the road, things seem to get a little better for them. However, as the families become closer, Michael starts having misgivings about Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack), and begins investigating them. He soon realises that the Langs are definitely not who they claim to be. The film is a tense political psychological thriller with Michael uncovering more and more about the seemingly innocent family living opposite him on Arlington Road. A Highly recomended film with a twist at the end that rivals that of the Sixth Sense.

Every now and then a movie comes along that you'll remember watching for years to come. This is one of them. A tense thriller that keeps you enthralled right until the end.

A high quality, entertaining film

The two leads (Bridges and Robbins) show why they are so highly regarded in this film. They pair very well on screen and give life to a difficult screenplay.

The psychological aspect of the plot means that after a relatively slow start the viewer is pulled in by watching Bridges spiral into his own fear and paranoia. As we are privy to the "neighbourly" investigation, which I’ll add seems initially unprovoked, Arlington road becomes a thought provoking and suspenseful thriller with all too true political overtones.

The climax is surprising but in a way predictable, however it is a fresh attitude to closure than what we are used to from Hollywood.

Flawed in some aspects but excellent in most. Definitely one for the rental queue.

Gripping!

This movie escaped the radar for me when it was released in the late nineties so when my parents recommended it to me i was a little dubious. I was expecting a movie from the early eighties that would be just passable but in fact what i did get was a truly gripping story. Jeff Bridges is brilliant as the widower who finds it hard to trust anyone but Tim Robbins is equally as good as the eerie neighbour. The last ten minutes will have you gripping the edge of your seat and then have you speechless and gobsmacked...a very clever movie!

Clever, if that's your thing

Sometimes I find when films focus on being clever they lose a bit of the human side and I think that happens here. I really like what the writer tries to do with the ending - but it's just too forced in the build-up. I was never really convinced by the motivation behind the actions of the neighbours in Arlington Road. This reminds me of a similar problem in The Green Mile. Again, to me it was trying to be too clever and so all the plot twists were tortured twists instead of unexpected easy swirls. If you catch my drift. But if The Usual Suspects is your idea of genius you'll like this. Good acting. Very watchable.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Classic

This is a superb film. I've seen it several times. The baddies wife is oh so creepy..... Its one of those movies which keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A Neighbour in need.

This is an excellent drama that will ensure total paranoia takes a hold of you. Right at the start when widower Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) saves the life of young neighbour Brady Lang (Mason Gamble) thus earning the gratitude of his parents Oliver (Robbins) and Cheryl (Cusack), you just know that all is not well in the State of Washington DC.

I know that Joan Cusack has played scary women before, but team her up with Tim Robbins and you have the perfect neighbours from Hell. Are they what they seem or are they something else? You will have to watch all 117 minutes to find out who does what to whom.

This drama is full of suspense and conspiracy, with more twists in the plot than a stick of Blackpool Rock. The camera work is brilliant and most Brits would not realise that most of it was filmed in Texas rather than Washington DC.

Poor old Jeff Bridges does not know which way to turn in this gripping tale of plot and counter plot. The FBI think he is crazy, his girlfriend blames the death of his wife, his son hates him and his students suspect that he is a terrorist.

The action on this film is so well directed that it equates to Hitchcock’s “Saboteur” but without the happy ending.

Well worth the money and make sure that you have everything you need before you start, as you will not want to “Pause” this film to get a drink.

Bloody great

really enjoyed this film and will watch again soon, great twist and edge of your seat stuff.....i like very much

Under rated movie

A very good well acted movie made great by one of the best endings you will see.A real jaw dropper.

Dynamite!!

Wow..teriffic film.

Well written and acted out superbly, an ending to send the senses reeling!!