Arlington Road
Dir: Mark Pellington
1999
****
Mark Pellington's terrorist thriller Arlington Road is an fascinating film to watch now as it was filmed pre-Oklahoma City Bombing and post-9/11. Indeed, some of the story's theme is clearly based on the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing and although the film somewhat feeds societies paranoia it also clearly states that there is a threat that is home-grown. However, references aside, I'm not sure Ehren Kruger, writer of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Scream 3 & 4, was actually trying to make a statement but was merely inspired by real events. The story is flawed but it certainly makes for an intense and exciting thriller and the twist ending is quite profound and refreshingly un-Hollywood. The opening scene reels you in and the climax does not disappoint, the middle is somewhat convoluted in places but the fine performances from Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins make it very watchable.