Rating of
2.5/4
Arlington Road review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 12/25/11
Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) is a college history professor at the George Washington University who saves the son of his neighbor named Brady (Mason Gamble). Faraday informs the parents, Oliver (Tim Robbins), a structural engineer, and Cheryl Lang (Joan Cusack), about his fireworks accident. Michael takes care of his son Grant (Spencer Treat Clark) since his wife passed away. Michael discovers that Oliver’s name is William Fenimore from a year book, and that Oliver Lang died on an Oct 4. due to a gunshot from a hunting accident. Michael discovers thru his research that Oliver has malicious plans that could affect numerous innocent lives.
Not really a happy film because of its premise, a fascinating look nevertheless of how a criminal works. Amazing screenplay coupled with thrilling musical score. Line from the film: Oliver – “Life isn’t the same without them.” “In war, children die.” “Never wiser than when we're children. They say it and it's true. We'll never see things that clear again.” “We all need friends. Life just isn’t the same without them.” The two leads deliver, Bridges the protective and just father while Robbins was the accommodating neighbor. Pace of the story was right, which gets better when it leads towards the climax. Only reservation this critic has is how Cheryl discovered where Brooke was and why an FBI friend would not help Faraday despite lack of evidence. Amazing how this film's antagonist has become real because of the numerous terrorist attacks. Arlington Road is one of those rare thrillers about terrorism, motives, trust, and values which can be enjoyed by crime fanatics.
