Details
Movie Description
Shia LaBeouf (CONSTANTINE, I, ROBOT) is a young talent to be reckoned with, as he demonstrates in this genre-spanning film from director D.J. Caruso. Part teenage romantic comedy, part horror flick, DISTURBIA stars LaBeouf as the troubled Kale, who is confined to his home under house arrest after he punches out his Spanish teacher in the middle of class. Kale's array of available diversions dwindle considerably after his mom (Carrie Ann Moss, MEMENTO) shuts off his X-Box and his i-Tunes, and he turns to voyeurism instead, carefully noting the daily activities of his neighbors. These include the swimming schedule of the hot girl who just moved in next door, Ashley (Sarah Roemer, THE GRUDGE 2), whom he ogles with his best friend, the class clown, Ronnie (Aaron Yoo, THE BEDFORD DIARIES). When Ashley unexpectedly shows up and wants to know what the boys are doing behind their binoculars, they concoct a story about their neighbor, Mr. Turner (David Morse, PROOF OF LIFE), and their suspicions that he is the serial killer currently on the loose. The teens' subsequent stakeout makes them increasingly convinced that this is in fact the case, and their creepy interactions with Turner bring them ever closer to learning the dark secret that lies inside his impenetrable suburban existence. Despite a slight identity crisis and distracting product placements, DISTURBIA is carried by the strong performance of its lead character, and manages to charm with its portrayal of young love.
Industry Reviews
3 stars out of 4 -- "[LaBeouf] is a winning combo of smart and smartass....LaBeouf excels as does Aaron Yoo..."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (04/19/2007)
"DISTURBIA, capably directed by D.J. Caruso, makes the most of its star's jumpy, quick-witted charm."
New York Times - A. O. Scott (04/13/2007)
"[W]itty and intelligent..."
Box Office - Annlee Ellingson (05/01/2007)
"[LaBeouf] made the leap to bankable leading man...in this cybertech update of REAR WINDOW." -- Grade: B
Entertainment Weekly - Jeff Labrecque (08/10/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "[A] smart, playful, engagingly modern take on Hitch's peeping tom classic....Slick, savvy and suspenseful..."
Total Film - Jamie Graham (10/01/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "Caruso's greatest skill is in allowing his leading man plenty of room to show why he's leapt to the top of every casting director's wish-list..."
Empire - William Thomas (09/01/2007)
"[A]n effective exercise in suspense....Its witty script, engaging themes and knack for suspense elevate it above many of its contemporaries."
Sight and Sound - Anna Smith (10/01/2007)
4 stars out of 5 -- "Giving the themes of Hitchcock's REAR WINDOW an intelligent modern twist....[DISTURBIA ensures] the audience remains on the edge of their seat until the explosive ending..."
Ultimate DVD - Nikki Baughan (11/23/2007)
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