Rating: Summary: Amazing ending Review: I must say throughout the entire course of this film I thought it was just another Hollywood "thriller" in which there are no real thrills because it follows the same plot as any other film in that genre. In fact I almost walked away from the movie in the middle of it but I'm glad I didn't. The ending left me stunned and talking about it three days later.
Rating: Summary: YOU MAY WANT TO GREET THAT NEW NEIGHBOR Review: Contrary to what you may think initially, nothing happens by coincidence on "Arlington Road." Outstanding performances by Jeff Bridges (As Michael Faraday) and Tim Robbins (Oliver Lang) highlight this taut thriller about terrorism in America, a disturbing film instilled with a sense of loss, fear and paranoia. Director Mark Pellington perhaps does not mine this vein to the depths, but there is still a silver lining in this movie, which contains elements of two of Alfred Hitchcock's classics, "The Man Who Knew Too Much," and "North By Northwest." Had this film been made forty years ago, in fact, Hitchcock would have been at the helm and we would have had James Stewart instead of Bridges and Richard Widmark in place of Robbins. When Jeff Bridges stars in a thriller, you can usually bet that the project is going to be a cut above the average fare of the genre, and this one is no exception, arguably his best of it's kind since "Jagged Edge." This is a riveting film, and the tension builds steadily throughout as we uncover, along with Faraday, the dark secrets which ultimately lead to an explosive climax. The excellent supporting cast includes Joan Cusack, Hope Davis and Robert Gossett. A trip to "Arlington Road" is a jolt to the senses and may cause you to stop and rethink a few things about your life. At the very least, you're going to want to finally meet that neighbor who moved in across the street last year.
Rating: Summary: I wanted to like this movie Review: I like Tim Robbins and Jeff Bridges, but this movie was really diappointing. The acting was just fine, but the story was so thin and full of holes, even Oscar worthy performances (of which there were none) could save this film. Arlington Road leads to a dead end with this movie.
Rating: Summary: suspense through the roof! Review: "beautiful! i loved this movie so much that it became my favorite instantly. it was beautifully set up and during the last half hour, every last one of my senses was completely focused on the movie. the acting isnt to shabby either. the entire thing, especially the ending, made me think of how the government works and just why theres *always* someone to blame.
Rating: Summary: A great thriller with an interesting point Review: I thought this would be your everyday terrorists try to destroy the world, hero saves the day kind of movie. I was pleasantly surprised. The look at modern society was a bit too cynical overall, but it did bring out some interesting points. I twould have been a five had it not been quite so dark.
Rating: Summary: Different opinions Review: I'm still making my mind about this movie, to know if it is good or not. There are some sequences very good, but Bridges'acting is very poor. Robbins is always good. I liked the fact that "evil" won this time.
Rating: Summary: Very good thriller Review: The story for this movie was excellent, and the ending was amazing. Its neat to see how one little paranoid teacher exposes this whole conspiracy and how Tim Robbins character uses it to his advantage.
Rating: Summary: Disappointing Review: If you are a Tim Robbins or Joan Cusack fan you'll enjoy their work, because they are very good. If you are Jeff Bridges fan I think you'll be disappointed because he's awful. The overwhelming impression he leaves is that he spends the whole movie screaming his lines or crying....he doesn't of course, but watching him go through this movie is torture. It's impossible to understand how the director couldn't see that the performance was horrible.The plot is highly contrived. One can only assume that Jeff Bridge's character must not have a clue about the subject matter that he teaches because everything catches him by surprise. That would be more believeable if the main character wasn't supposed to have spent considerable time studying this stuff. But then given the plot all semblance of logic and reason is thrown out the window about 10 minutes into the movie. The movie veers from creating a subversive, paranoid vision of suburbia to a car chase laden, fight scene action movie. And the "punch in the gut ending" plays out in ridiculous fashion as it's only patently obvious what's happening and yet no one takes any action. Two stars for Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack and the first half of the movie.
Rating: Summary: alot to think about Review: this movie presents alot of interesting ideas. about how the fbi may make mistakes of judgement and why it is benifical for a goverment to quickly wrap up a bombing and to blame one man. for me this is the big appeal of the film. the acting is pretty good overall. jeff bridges jumps from one extreme to another but time robbins and joan cussak are very good. the ending is what everyone is talking about. all i can say on that is to watch it yourself. everyone veiws it differently and it is important to see it it for yourself.
Rating: Summary: YOUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS Review: I passed on ARLINGTON ROAD in the theaters because the preview reminded me too much of another Bridges film, BLOWN AWAY. It seemed to be the same plot, same story... the same old same old... but I was wrong (I also made the same mistake with TRUE LIES... which to this day I wish I had seen on the big screen). ARLINGTON ROAD is a fantastic film. Flawless in direction, stlye, writing, and performacnes (Joan Cusak's performance will raise the hairs on the back of your neck because you've known people like her, lived next door to people like her... and have had nightmares about people like her). This is a jarring film right from frame one and will not only have you guessing, but questioning not only the people around you, but your own fundamental beliefs in the media and government... it's that good. As for the DVD, it's a tight package. On a FIDDLE FACTOR (i.e. bells and whistles)between one to ten, ARLINGTON ROAD gets a five. The commentary between director and star offers great insight into the background and mindset in making this film. Pick it up... it's worth having a part of your collection, as well a thrilling nights rental.
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