Arlington Road

Neighbour Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges) finds him and tears into hospital with the lad, probably saving the boy's life.

Now much of Arlington Road is completely implausible on reflection, especially given the surprise ending, but still the film is an effective thriller even if the plot is pretty course.

These opening scenes are tense and the film maintains its intensity.

Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack play Oliver and Cheryl Lang, the parents of the boy and it's obvious from the start that this family is a bit queer. Oliver's hair is a redneck weird and creepy music and noises accompany just about every glance.

Their children give the Addams family stare.

And it just so happens that Michael Faraday lectures at the local University on terrorism and that his wife had been an FBI agent until she had been shot dead while raiding a suspected terrorist enclave.

That's a pretty rich mix I think you must agree.

But still Arlington Road pushes the appropriate switches pretty effectively. I was however reminded of the old TV series Sea Hunt which starred Jeff's dad Lloyd Bridges.

I used to love watching Sea Hunt on my black and white television.

Jeff Bridges spends much of his time in Arlington Road rushing about with his head up and mouth open, rather like a seal. I think there's been a good deal of salt water still swooshing in the Bridge's blood vessels since Dad went SCUBA all of those years ago.

But the star of Arlington Road for me was Robert Gossett who played FBI agent Whit Carver. Talk about the set of a man's jaw! He's an actor worth following.