Arlington Road Movie Review

Arlington Road (1999)

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Written by: Ehren Kruger 
Directed by: Mark Pellington
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Hope Davis
Rated: R
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Plot
A college professor begins to suspect his all-American neighbors might be terrorists. Or is he just paranoid?

Verdict
In an increasingly isolated world, we don't really know our neighbors. Michael begins to suspect his neighbor is hiding something, and that breeds paranoia and fear. As a professor that studies terrorism, he's keenly aware of what's possible and also has the resources to feed his suspicions. At one point he questions why so many attacks are ultimately deemed as solo acts despite the resources required to undertake such a thing. This movie's conclusion subverts expectations while providing a chilling answer and a hefty dose of paranoia. While it's reassuring that domestic terrorists are acting alone, the implication here is staggering.
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Review
The opening throws you right into the middle of this. It's hectic and unsettling. Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) comes across a neighborhood kid in distress, rushing him to the hospital. Afterwards, Michael bemoans the fact that he didn't even know his neighbor's names until now.

Jeff Bridges plays Michael

Soon Michael befriends the boy's father, Oliver (Tim Robbins). Though Michael is suspicious of small things, a political comment and a mislabeled letter in particular, he can't shake the feeling that something's not right. Michael keeps digging, even calling Oliver's alma mater. There are no records of him. Michael's girlfriend gives him several reasons for the mix-up, but Michael doesn't relent. It's complicated by the fact that Michael and Oliver have become close, and their sons are even closer. Michael wants to distance himself, but he can't pull his son away.

Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins play Michael, Oliver

Coincidentally, Michael teaches a history class on American terrorism. Other friends attribute his paranoia to that. His class is where he expresses doubt that these terrorists are solo actors. How do seemingly regular people one day decide to commit such violent acts without any help?

Michael won't let go, continuing to investigate why Oliver might have changed his name. A few close calls stretch credibility before Oliver reveals he knows what Michael found out. Oliver honestly admits his past while stating he changed his name to hide, knowing his past would follow him forever. While that could have been enough, we learn that Oliver is up to something. Michael later realizes it too, afraid for not only his safety but that of his son's.

Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins play Michael, Oliver

What makes Oliver unsettling is how direct, calm, and cold he is. He never denies anything, and that makes him even scarier. In comparison, Michael seems deranged. It's because he's scared to death, but by acting to recklessly he plays right into Oliver's plans. Michael doesn't seem credible, providing Oliver with opportunity. Ultimately Oliver implicates Michael as a threat. That's easy since Michael has a history with the FBI and a reason for revenge.

This ends with another attack, and it's declared to be a terrorist acting alone. We know it's not, but it plays right into what Michael discussed earlier. He doubted such things, and we see how it occurs. The other side of the issue is that it's comforting to think these acts are by a lone, deranged individual. The truth that a network of people are trying to destabilize the government is much more harrowing. That's what makes us skeptical of historical terror attacks. They're always purported to be done by as solo acts... maybe not.