Lakeview Terrace, a thriller directed by Neil LaBute in 2008, features Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson), an LAPD officer who terrorizes the newlywed interracial couple in Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson) and Lisa Mattson (Kerry Washington), who recently purchased their first home and are the newest neighbors of the local policeman. Abel Turner is highly uncomfortable with the relationship of his newest neighbors, disapproving of the courtship between a Caucasian male and an African American female. Therefore, this discomfort empowers the LAPD officer in striving to force out the couple, who had high aspirations in their newly purchased home, with full intentions of starting a family in the near future. This film, in its entirety, highlights the
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A scene worth noting is one where Abel and Chris unexpectedly meet at a bar, and Abel describes to Chris the death of his wife and how it was the third anniversary of her death at the time. He continued by stating that he hates how white men think that they can arrogantly have whatever or whomever they want, without regards or thought for how he might be perceived by the rest of the world. This obviously is in reference to his wife’s involvement with her white boss, and the possible affair that might have occurred. In all, Abel has an aggressive and dominant personality that stems from his racist beliefs, which is often associated with African American …show more content…
In particular, this film does incorporate many people of various backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. On the other hand, while this film does include diversity, biased stereotypes are evident towards the portrayed groups, mainly in regard to Abel Turner. Since Abel is an African American, he is portrayed as aggressive, abusive, and one who even associates with the criminal activities within his area. Also, Abel, as was stated previously, is racist towards Caucasians. Throughout the film, Abel is seen as the antagonist, and one in which the audience should disagree with morally and despise. These stereotypes of African American men are seen within the film industry and are commonly used to portray these characters, even when they possess the role of a strong societal figure such as a
A scene worth noting is one where Abel and Chris unexpectedly meet at a bar, and Abel describes to Chris the death of his wife and how it was the third anniversary of her death at the time. He continued by stating that he hates how white men think that they can arrogantly have whatever or whomever they want, without regards or thought for how he might be perceived by the rest of the world. This obviously is in reference to his wife’s involvement with her white boss, and the possible affair that might have occurred. In all, Abel has an aggressive and dominant personality that stems from his racist beliefs, which is often associated with African American …show more content…
In particular, this film does incorporate many people of various backgrounds, including African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. On the other hand, while this film does include diversity, biased stereotypes are evident towards the portrayed groups, mainly in regard to Abel Turner. Since Abel is an African American, he is portrayed as aggressive, abusive, and one who even associates with the criminal activities within his area. Also, Abel, as was stated previously, is racist towards Caucasians. Throughout the film, Abel is seen as the antagonist, and one in which the audience should disagree with morally and despise. These stereotypes of African American men are seen within the film industry and are commonly used to portray these characters, even when they possess the role of a strong societal figure such as a