Director: Mark Pellington
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Hope Davis
Running Time: 119 minutes
Synopsis: In suburban Virginia, Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) is a professor specializing in domestic terrorism, and still grieving the death of his wife, an FBI agent. Michael is now dating his former student Brooke (Hope Davis), and they befriend their neighbours Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack). Oliver claims to be an architect, but Michael starts uncovering evidence that Oliver is lying about his background, and that he may have violent anti-government intentions. Increasingly paranoid but undeterred, Michael keeps investigating and draws himself and his young son into danger.
What Works Well: Inspired by actual events like the Oklahoma City bombing and the Ruby Ridge stand-off, this is a slick, taut, and clever thriller about the threat living in plain sight and just next door. The Ehren Kruger script keeps the mystery alive by revealing only what is necessary and in small but steady increments, casting doubt not only on Oliver's true nature but also Michael's state of mind. Jeff Bridges (intense) and Tim Robbins (calculating) bounce off each other, and the final twist is a welcome departure from the usual clichés.
What Does Not Work As Well: On the way to an effective and satisfying resolution, the action becomes frantic and dependent on plenty of back-and-forth traveling and some unlikely perfect timing.
Key Quote:
Michael: You can't ask government to be infallible, but you can ask it to be accountable.
Oliver: I can ask it to be honest.
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