Arlington Road film review

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ARLINGTON ROAD

Everybody needs good neighbours, as we're reminded daily, and when wholesome, all-American folk Oliver (Tim Robbins) and Cheryl Lang (Joan Cusack) move in across the road from college prof Michael (Jeff Bridges), they seem just the ticket.

Warm, friendly and open - keen to involve the recently widowed Michael and his young son Grant (Spencer Clark) into their lives. But then, to the despair of Michael's girlfriend Brooke (Hope Davis) who accuses him of paranoia, suspicion kicks in. Something doesn't add up, nobody could be this apple-pie perfect, and when a few preliminary investigations seem to support Michael's theory, a can of worms opens in this psychological thriller. Who are the Langs? Why are they here? And what do they want?

Swept undeservedly under the cinematic carpet on theatrical release, this is a rather superb nail-biter plying that sort of creeping tension so rarely attempted. It's the hands of top-rate, non-starry performers, too - Bridges's beleaguered, everyman Prof, the perfect tortured hero; Robbins ideal as the neighbour who may or may not be too good to be true; Cusack and Davis supporting well. An involving, genuinely thrilling faith-restorer in American movie-making.