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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Peter Krause (Six Feet Under) uses his everyman good looks to subversive effect in Civic Duty, an effective little thriller. Recently fired accountant Terry Allen (Krause) grows increasingly suspicious of his new neighbor, an Islamic student (Egyptian star Khaled Abol Naga) who keeps late hours. Allen's wife Marla (Kari Matchett, 24) believes he's being paranoid and their relationship crumbles under the pressure, which only leads Allen to obsess all the more about this possible terrorist--until he finally acts on his suspicions. As the confrontation escalates out of his control, Allen is forced deeper into a corner he never anticipated. Civic Duty is a lean, sinewy movie, making the most of its concise storyline and claustrophobic setting. Though the director tries perhaps a little too hard to insert some visual flash, this is essentially and actor's showcase. Krause, though not always the most expressive performer, does a good job of drawing the audience into his increasingly untrustworthy consciousness. Matchett and Naga turn in solid work, while Richard Schiff (The West Wing) is particularly strong as a doubtful FBI agent that Allen contacts. Civic Duty is more interested in psychology (and cinematic suspense) than politics, but it delves just enough into the issues around terrorism--What do we lose in the pursuit of security? What might drive a terrorist to such horrific acts? How do we fight violence without being consumed by it ourselves?--to give the movie some heft, something for an audience to chew on when it leaves. --Bret Fetzer
Product Description
Angry and depressed over losing his job, accountant Terry Allen (Peter Krause) begins to suspect his new, Middle Eastern neighbor is at the center of a terrorist conspiracy. Terry becomes obsessed about revealing the man's true identity and finally takes matters into his own hands ⦠with shocking results.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was always surprised in the wake of 9/11 that we never heard of an instance where an Arab looking passenger got up to use the lavatory on an airplane and was attacked by the other passengers. With tensions and suspicion both running high I thought such incidents were inevitable, but if they happened I never heard about them. There was the incident where six Muslim clerics where pulled off of an airplane in Minneapolis because the pilot received a note from a passenger pointing out there were "Arabic men" on the plane, but that has been the exception rather than the rule (the airport in Minneapolis is apparently just a place where strange things happen if you pray in Arabic or go around tapping your foot too often in a restroom).
"Civic Duty" is a 2006 film that deals with the sort of paranoid over-reaction to the terrorist attack that I had suspected might become commonplace. Terry Allen (Peter Krause) has just lost his job as an accountant and without work to keep his mind occupied he becomes obsessed with coverage of the War on Terror on cable television. Especially since a "Middle Eastern" looking young man (Khaled Abol Naga) has moved into an apartment that Terry can see from his window. We already know that Terry is predisposed to see the worst in people after he cruelly points out to a smiling bank teller the idiotic redundancy of the term "ATM Machine." Like those strange little beings on those annoying television commercials, Terry stars off sour and then tries to be sweet. It is just that we never really buy it, any more than we can really believe that there is a terrorist in that other apartment. The more desperate Terry is to believe it, the more we resist the idea. But is the film just toying with us?
Everything Terry sees--and he goes too far to see too much--fits into the "profile" that the media has been talking about. Terry calls the FBI, but Agent Tom Hilary (Richard Schiff) seems more suspicious of Terry than of the subject he has under surveillance. Terry's wife, Marla (Kari Matchett), sees the glass as barely wet and not nearly full, and her approach to the situation is to go over and knock on the neighbor's door, introduce herself, and find out who the guy is and what he does. The answers satisfy Marla, but not Terry, who is starting to spout rationalizations usually associated with being a good Nazi rather than a vigilante America. There is an overwhelming feeling that this is all going to end badly, and it is just a question of how badly it is going to end, even if you do not foresee the particular way the end game plays out here.
Ultimately, "Civic Duty" is more about psychology than it is politics. Director Jeff Renfroe shoots scenes to enhance the idea of paranoia, while the screenplay by Andrew Joiner tries to keep Terry tottering on the fence as to whether he is right or if he is wrong. The epilogue to the film seems at first glance to be one last gambit on that idea of ambiguity, but if you keep a careful watch on Terry's left eye you can decode the final scene successfully. The DVD has the trailer for the film and that is it, which seems totally bizarre these days when most DVDs seem to have way too many extras. What this film is doing and what it has to say would seem worth pursuing a bit more, but apparently we are simply to watch "Civic Duty" and come to terms with it on our own.
"Civic Duty" is a 2006 film that deals with the sort of paranoid over-reaction to the terrorist attack that I had suspected might become commonplace. Terry Allen (Peter Krause) has just lost his job as an accountant and without work to keep his mind occupied he becomes obsessed with coverage of the War on Terror on cable television. Especially since a "Middle Eastern" looking young man (Khaled Abol Naga) has moved into an apartment that Terry can see from his window. We already know that Terry is predisposed to see the worst in people after he cruelly points out to a smiling bank teller the idiotic redundancy of the term "ATM Machine." Like those strange little beings on those annoying television commercials, Terry stars off sour and then tries to be sweet. It is just that we never really buy it, any more than we can really believe that there is a terrorist in that other apartment. The more desperate Terry is to believe it, the more we resist the idea. But is the film just toying with us?
Everything Terry sees--and he goes too far to see too much--fits into the "profile" that the media has been talking about. Terry calls the FBI, but Agent Tom Hilary (Richard Schiff) seems more suspicious of Terry than of the subject he has under surveillance. Terry's wife, Marla (Kari Matchett), sees the glass as barely wet and not nearly full, and her approach to the situation is to go over and knock on the neighbor's door, introduce herself, and find out who the guy is and what he does. The answers satisfy Marla, but not Terry, who is starting to spout rationalizations usually associated with being a good Nazi rather than a vigilante America. There is an overwhelming feeling that this is all going to end badly, and it is just a question of how badly it is going to end, even if you do not foresee the particular way the end game plays out here.
Ultimately, "Civic Duty" is more about psychology than it is politics. Director Jeff Renfroe shoots scenes to enhance the idea of paranoia, while the screenplay by Andrew Joiner tries to keep Terry tottering on the fence as to whether he is right or if he is wrong. The epilogue to the film seems at first glance to be one last gambit on that idea of ambiguity, but if you keep a careful watch on Terry's left eye you can decode the final scene successfully. The DVD has the trailer for the film and that is it, which seems totally bizarre these days when most DVDs seem to have way too many extras. What this film is doing and what it has to say would seem worth pursuing a bit more, but apparently we are simply to watch "Civic Duty" and come to terms with it on our own.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By J. Ronthi
Format:DVD
Pros: Great acting throughout; Peter Krause is incredible. All extras fill their respective roles convincingly, as well. Directer put great emphasis on the details, which, in this movie, is important. Story/Plot is simple due to its symbolic nature, making it easy to follow. Awesome camera work lends to the unsettling nature of the film. Great cultural/stereotype contrasts, though sometimes over the top.
Cons: Message is too heavy-handed, taking away some realism. Film tends to be dramatically claustrophobic. It does not matter if it was intended, it still needed air.
Where They Went Wrong: There is an anti-American diatribe against American Foreign Policy to rebut the cruel treatment of women in certain Middle-Eastern countries. This did nothing to lend to the films credibility and came off as ridiculous, unfair, and one sided. Conflicts (wars) are completely different than inhumane domestic policy. Even if those conflicts are wrong. The whole screed was a misnomer.
Where They Went Right: The symbolism of Krause's angry disposition serving as Americas general hostility, fed by media hype and propaganda. This predisposition made the whole chaotic scenario almost believable.
This film was enjoyable, just wish it would have been more well-rounded.
Also, we could've used this film circa 2004...whatever.
Rent It.
Cons: Message is too heavy-handed, taking away some realism. Film tends to be dramatically claustrophobic. It does not matter if it was intended, it still needed air.
Where They Went Wrong: There is an anti-American diatribe against American Foreign Policy to rebut the cruel treatment of women in certain Middle-Eastern countries. This did nothing to lend to the films credibility and came off as ridiculous, unfair, and one sided. Conflicts (wars) are completely different than inhumane domestic policy. Even if those conflicts are wrong. The whole screed was a misnomer.
Where They Went Right: The symbolism of Krause's angry disposition serving as Americas general hostility, fed by media hype and propaganda. This predisposition made the whole chaotic scenario almost believable.
This film was enjoyable, just wish it would have been more well-rounded.
Also, we could've used this film circa 2004...whatever.
Rent It.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Freedom and fear have always been at war." This time without the Irony.
September 17, 2007
Format:DVD
"Civic Duty" exploits the paranoia of post-9/11 America to create a timely, suspenseful, and critical thriller about the fear of terrorists in our midst. Terry Allen (Peter Krause) is short-tempered and insecure after losing his accountant job just as he and wife Marla (Kari Matchett) were looking forward to buying a house. Left with little to do beside send out resumes and watch television reports of the growing menace of Islamic terrorists, Terry begins to see something furtive in the activities of his new neighbor Gabe Hassan (Khaled Abol Naga), a Muslim graduate student.
Much of "Civic Duty"'s success, both as suspense and as metaphor for America's socio-political obsession, relies on the credibility of Peter Krause's performance. Insecurity and idleness turn Terry into a paranoid bully. He's irrational, but that doesn't mean that he's wrong. Director Jeff Renfroe keeps us guessing. Has Terry stumbled upon something sinister in spite of himself? Is Hassan a terrorist, completely innocent, or perhaps a criminal of a more mundane nature? Regardless, Terry's belief that someone is out to get him is insular and self-destructive. A theatrical trailer is the only bonus feature on the Red Envelope 2007 DVD.
Much of "Civic Duty"'s success, both as suspense and as metaphor for America's socio-political obsession, relies on the credibility of Peter Krause's performance. Insecurity and idleness turn Terry into a paranoid bully. He's irrational, but that doesn't mean that he's wrong. Director Jeff Renfroe keeps us guessing. Has Terry stumbled upon something sinister in spite of himself? Is Hassan a terrorist, completely innocent, or perhaps a criminal of a more mundane nature? Regardless, Terry's belief that someone is out to get him is insular and self-destructive. A theatrical trailer is the only bonus feature on the Red Envelope 2007 DVD.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
pure failure
it is not worth watching, really very low quality in all aspects... and this movie mix things up really cloudy, it failed completely to show the point.....sorry I wasted my time
Published 4 months ago by H. from Metuchen
3.0 out of 5 stars
Somebody's Watching You--"Rear Window" For The Post-9/11 Set
Spare and intriguing, "Civic Duty" plays out like an updated "Rear Window" infused liberally with post 9/11 paranoia. Read more
Published on October 4, 2010 by K. Harris
2.0 out of 5 stars
Intriguing premise that loses its way
**1/2
"Civic Duty" is like "Rear Window" for the post-9/11 age. Terry Allen is a recently laid-off accountant who, thanks in large part to the influence of an... Read more
"Civic Duty" is like "Rear Window" for the post-9/11 age. Terry Allen is a recently laid-off accountant who, thanks in large part to the influence of an... Read more
Published on July 15, 2008 by Roland E. Zwick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than you think....
Peter Krause and Richard Schiff carry on their backs what would otherwise would probably be a hilarliously bad B-movie. Read more
Published on May 11, 2008 by James Burns
4.0 out of 5 stars
The perils of too much time at home
After three separate copies of CIVIC DUTY received from a well known Web-based DVD rental service, each of which skipped or stopped playing altogether, I finally purchased (at a... Read more
Published on March 3, 2008 by Joseph Haschka
3.0 out of 5 stars
Does'nt Try Hard Enough
I had high hopes for this movie based on the feedback , the trailer and the cover - but it would like to be a "Disturbia" or "Rear Window" but it fails to connect . Read more
Published on January 26, 2008 by M. B. Richardson
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hallucination
"Civic Duty" was presented at the Tribeca Film Festival. Director Jeff Renfroe had previously directed a feature titled "One Point 0. Read more
Published on January 16, 2008 by Lee Armstrong
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dumbest Movie Ever
The makers of this film mocked the real terrorist threat by using a character who is insane and abusive to stalk an Arab neighbor. Read more
Published on December 20, 2007 by Meredith Scarlett
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stupid movie
Even though the movie had great promise - it just fell flat on its face. **Spoiler Warning** In the end the movie is about a deranged person and nothing more. Read more
Published on December 17, 2007 by Diego F. Mera
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Choice
This is a must see suspense thriller. Peter Krause is great along with the entire supporting cast. For a "low budget" movie, they did a good production job, too.
Published on October 23, 2007 by Movie Phan
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