User reviews

"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 an ubiquitous, sensation-seeking news media, has become increasingly obsessed with the "terrorist threat" plaguing the Western world. When a young Middle Eastern man moves into an apartment across the way, Terry immediately goes into surveillance mode, spying on his every move, following him around town, breaking into his home, and even reporting him to what Terry quickly learns, much to his dismay, is a decidedly uninterested and unconcerned FBI. Soon, his life and marriage are falling apart as he plunges ever deeper into his paranoia-driven madness.

"Civic Duty" starts off as a reasonably compelling psychological thriller, but the longer the movie goes on the more far-fetched and heavy-handed it becomes. Peter Krause, who was so subtle and effective as the star of "Six Feet Under," is forced to go so over-the-top in his performance here that we begin to fear he'll burst a blood vessel long before the movie is over. The underlining doesn't stop there, however, for Jeff Renfroe"s direction is filled with any number of hokey touches, including panning wildly or having the camera do virtual somersaults anytime anything even remotely sinister or suspenseful is about to take place.

The movie first points out how the media, obsessed with profits and ratings, finds it necessary to bombard us with a steady stream of potential terror threats, both real and manufactured, on an around-the-clock basis - and then questions what kind of effect such sensory overload might have on an already unstable personality. And, beyond that, might the media and the political class it serves be turning all of us, to some degree or another, into raging paranoiacs, ready to pry into our neighbors' private business in the cause of national security? Unfortunately, this provocative theme gets buried under a truckload of paranoid-thriller clichés.

Kari Matchett, Khaled Abol Naga and Richard Schiff ("The West Wing") do well in their various roles, but the movie, well intentioned though it is, falls far short of its potential.

Peter Krause plays Terry Allen, a laid-off accountant with time on his hands. As he updates his resume he becomes obsessed with the new tenant who has moved into an apartment across the courtyard, a man of Middle Eastern origin, whose behavior seems suspicious to Allen. Of course, Allen is one of these people who never learned that there is nothing more deceptive than superficial appearances.

The real basis of Allen's obsession is television "news", which he constantly has on, blaring out scary headlines and hints of "terror". Allen's wife Marla (well played by Kari Matchett) tries to be the voice of reason. But she is no match for the nonstop fear message coming from the boob tube. And the more Allen connects the TV message to the suspicious stranger, the more paranoid and irrational Allen becomes.

It's a highly relevant story, one wherein Allen represents many gullible Americans who take at face value everything they hear on TV. In the real world, most people have psychological brakes that prevent them from acting on their fears. Allen does not have those brakes, and he reacts accordingly.

"Civic Duty" is mostly a visual film; dialogue is fairly minimal. However, some of the lines convey the film's theme. In one confrontation Terry tells Marla: "We all have to be the eyes and ears now (for the FBI)". To which Marla responds: "If you weren't up here all day long spying on our neighbors like some paranoid right-wing whack ..."; Terry retorts: "Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean they're wrong ...".

The film's pace in the first half is fine; the plot moves along at a good clip. In the second half, the pace slows, as viewers must endure a tedious police standoff. A chase sequence in the second half is unnecessary filler. The lack of inquisitive neighbors provides the basis for an obvious plot hole, particularly as we approach the film's climax.

Cinematography is adequate; the emphasis is on close up shots, even extreme close-ups. Lighting trends toward low level. Overall acting is slightly above average. Richard Schiff, as the low-key, laconic FBI agent, gives an especially good performance. Background music is fairly creepy, and when combined with the dark visuals and minimal dialogue, creates a fair amount of suspense.

The real "message" of this film is the dreadful effect that television "news" has on many Americans. In effect, "Civic Duty" is the cinematic expression of media critic Marshall McLuhan's famous line, some forty years ago: "The medium is the message".

I saw this movie, and I was surprised. The performances were reasonable, not that bad, and the plot was a very interesting reflection. This movie sends a message and a social critic to America, about terrorism, and it reflects on the uncomfortable way of life, of an American, Terry Allen (played by Peter Krause, good performance here) that is certain that is neighbor, Gabe Hassan (Khaled Abol Naga, that is a revelation here), is a terrorist. This is an interesting film, because it reflects on a man that is disturbed and filled with plenty of media stuff in is head. This is an excellent critic to the American society, post 9/11, and also a movie that poses on the theory of conspiration. Get to see it if you can. Interesting - 7/10.

Honestly I started up this movie and though "ah man, my wife got another crappy movie from Netflix." I am surprised to say that, although this movie does have a lot of kinks in it as far as believability is concerned, it does manage to get the viewer wondering what will happen next...I guess. I usually don't have any patience for movies, so if you also have a short fuse when it comes to watching one, you'd better steer clear of this one. It might not grab your attention or make you care soon enough, if at all. I definitely wasn't extremely thrilled with it until the ending which really wasn't too bad. Definitely a good movie to watch if there's just nothing on TV. Did this review sound mediocre? Well, that's kind of how the movie was. Just not a lot to say about it I guess. It was a low budget film and this was a very low budget review.

A Tribeca Film Festival favorite- topical thriller with lots of twist. I agree, it was a slow start.... just like a roller coaster!

I guess it is almost 5 years since 9/11 and time brings perspective, perhaps enough to look back on the emotional and political tenor of the period. Though not directly related to 9/11, this film gave me emotional flashbacks

Cast was good, Peter Krause took a lot of chances in this part and was good!

But a star is born with Khaled Abol Naga and his very convincing portrayal of a difficult character. Altho he has apparently made numerous films in his native Egypt, this US debut is stunning work. Despite myself, I felt sympathetic for the maybe-maybe-not terrorist. I bet we will see a lot more of Khalid.

In the paranoid atmosphere of post 9/11, Terry Allen (Peter Krause) gets laid off as a corporate accountant. He starts obsessing with his newly arrived Arab neighbor. His wife Marla (Kari Matchett) is concerned. He contacts the FBI and Agent Tom Hilary (Richard Schiff) is assigned the case.

I don't really buy this FBI. It seems that the post 9/11 FBI would treat every Arab with suspicion. No charity is innocent. No Muslim is loyal. Every dollar is used by terrorists. The only good paranoia move is to make the FBI overworked. They wouldn't have enough manpower to investigate Terry's case. In which case, there would be no Hilary character. That would be much better and it would isolate Terry more. There is one moment where I thought the movie could turn the whole situation into a great shock twist. Marla shows up wearing a police windbreaker. At that moment, I thought the movie would make most of the story into his delusion and Marla turns out not to be his wife. It's not the most ingenious twist but it would have given it a satisfying wrap-up. Instead, the whole thing is real. The problems remain. The ending is much and isn't satisfying.

After being laid off in a downsizing of his company, the bitter and bigoted American accountant Terry Allen (Peter Krause) faces financial problems with the mortgage of his house. He uses his available time to snoop his downstairs neighbor Gabe Hassan (Khaled Abol Naga), a Middle Eastern student that is having his Master degree sponsored by an Islamic organization in an American university, and calls the FBI to tell his suspicion. However, FBI Agent Tom Hilary (Richard Schiff) asks him to forget Hassan. When Terry tells his wife Marla Allen (Kari Matchett) that he had contacted FBI, she becomes upset and leaves Terry. However, his obsessive bigotry and alienation trigger paranoia against his neighbor and a tragic conclusion.

"Civic Duty" repeats the storyline of "Rear Window", i.e., a neighbor snooping another one, to expose in low pace the prejudice and alienation against immigrants in USA after the infamous September, 11th. Peter Krause gives a top-notch performance in the role of an average American citizen of middle-class, frustrated by the unemployment, bombed by the media with shallow information against Islamic people and his alienation and bigotry becoming paranoia that the poor Islamic student is associated to a terrorist group. The plot is totally believable and the tragic conclusion is very realistic. Unfortunately, the DVD released by FOX gives wrong information in the cover, since it has NO SUBTITLES and NO CLOSED CAPTION. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

The topic is very interesting, and somewhat important in the face of the post-9/11 terrorist attack, resulting in a backlash of suspicion by many US citizens toward people of middle-eastern descent or culture.

This paranoid-episode focuses on a down and out man, and the suspicions he experiences when a new neighbor of apparent middle-eastern background moves into a nearby apartment. Various pre-existing marital tensions in his marriage contribute to fuel his determination.

All of the acting is well-done. Most everything is well-done. But it's just plain depressing and down-mood, from beginning to end, so don't plan on watching it for weekend escape-entertainment.

If you were hoping for action, there's almost none of it here. Even on suspense, there's very little. It's more of a drama with a slight edge at a few points in the latter third of the movie. The last minute or two of the movie's ending left me unclear on what had happened and what was implied. I felt that it could be interpreted at least two different ways.

Overall, it's a worthwhile movie with food for thought. But I wouldn't think of it as invigorating or thought-provoking-- it was more frustrating, from my point of view.

This is without a doubt the worst film I've seen since Boxing Helena. It really is that bad.

I can only begin to imagine why it has a decent IMDb score (friends and family of the film-makers?). I cannot imagine anybody enjoying this film, so banal is the script and so lacking is the plot.

After (roughly) the 20 minute mark, the film has become so utterly, irredeemably rubbish that one is forced to consider whether it is intentional and intended as a form of challenging art rather than as a linear film.

Terrible, terrible film.

Avoid like the plague.

This movie was one hell of a roller-coaster ride! I caught the final Tribeca Film Festival screening on the Upper West Side. People were waiting outside on the waiting list line for hours, offering three times the amount for tickets. It was crazy. I planned ahead and although tempted to make a quick buck and sell my tix I went in (my wife loves Peter Krause).

The movie is a slow gradual buildup and like an old fashioned roller-coaster, you feel an undercurrent of tension building as the plot builds and builds as you ascend into world of Terry Allen (Krause) and than... JUST LIKE THAT.. you are dropped for the ride of a lifetime with twists and turns, loops that all comes to an immediate stop.

Peter Krause delivers the performance of a lifetime. If you thought he could sell coffins, you'll become addicted to his knockout performance compounded by the paranoia we all felt after 9/11. You actually feel like you are in his head throughout the entire movie. This boy has acting chops.

Richard Schiff was flawless in his portrayal of the FBI agent who is over-extended with phone call after phone call of "the terrorist next door" situations which is a drain on his once "dignified" job.

Khaled Abol Naga was a tremendous surprise. In the Q&A following the movie, I was surprised to learn English was his second language. His look, delivery of his dialouge and looks he gives Peter Krause's character throughout the movie earn our sympathy and never lets you off your guard as to "is he or isn't he" the terrorist next door.

An excellent movie with the perfect cast that had the potential to collapse in the last scene. But it didn't' let down (a masterful manipulation that I will not spoil for you).

The roller-coaster came to a stop and like a little boy I wanted to run outside get on line again and go for another spin.

But, it was the last screening...

A great film!

This movie does a good job of showing the viewer how a psychologically disturbed personality can interpret neutral stimuli in a paranoid fashion. The use of the scripted newscasts were reminiscent of the news coverage post 9-11.

It was a movie that was well-acted and well directed to show how one misconception can lead to another - and how a bad situation can turn into a nightmare with just a few missteps. There were also some surprisingly humorous moments as the neighbor who is held hostage comments on the situation at hand to a man who is obviously losing his grip on reality.

It is ashame that the movie disappoints in the end by insinuating that the neighbor was indeed a terrorist. This drags what was a well-crafted story down to a cheap potshot of a film that stereotypes all non Caucasians as terrorists. This implication taints the picture and helps to fuel the paranoid delusions of pathetic individuals such as the one portrayed in the main character.

After having read some of the negative reviews on the IMDb message board, I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I watched this movie. One of the great things about this was that it didn't immediately jump into the media's coverage of the terrorist plots in the post 9-11 world, but rather gives the viewer an insight into the mindset of the lead character (Peter Krause). This makes his obsessional behavior and the build-up of the paranoia he has against his neighbor very believable, because you start to understand that his dissatisfaction is caused by more just the 9-11 bombing. The actors were extremely convincing in their portrayal of these difficult characters. And although you might only sympathize with Khaled Abol Naga's character, you get a feeling of understanding for Peter Krause's character as well. All in all, an excellent and suspenseful thriller with surprising twists and great content.

Wow- I saw this at Tribeca and I thought it was awesome. I am NOT a Peter Krause fan going in but I am NOW. He was amazing. If your looking for a super taut thriller and edge of your seat viewing this film is for you. I won't ruin any of it but suffice it to say that all is not as it seems. I'm now looking for everything and anything by this talented director! And the music! Wow-I did a search on Amazon and came up nothing. Eli Krantzenberg's score is simply astonishing. What a main theme. I wished I can hear it again. If anyone knows when this is available on DVD I'd sure like to know. Richard Shiff has to really steal the day though for performances. He is rock solid and totally believable. That had to be a tough role because it could go in so many directions. And Khaled Abol Naga is great. He plays his character just right so that you never really know what he's thinking or what he's up to. These films are hard to do right since it is a delicate balance with character paranoia. And what I loved MOST and this is sadly lacking from films today is a film where something is left to the audience. Instead of being spoon fed every plot this one leaves some of it in our hands. Definitely NOT 'chewing gum for the mind'. A nice departure from your usual Hollywood formula!

i am no expert, i just like watching movies and i liked this one. it has a good story and good actors to sustain it. there isn't much development in the characters, but then this is not this kind of a story - its just like a window has opened to us, the viewers, into the world of a family, that has its dreams and problems, but now and then we get fragments of the bigger picture and then suddenly it all goes wrong and crazy...

as a kind of bottom line - when men forget about the love and start playing their 'games', its always the innocent who pay the price for it

its a good movie - don't be afraid to watch it, you'll enjoy it

peace

This movie is as good as you'd expect. You get slowly dragged into the world of anti-terrorist paranoia through the eyes of one character that creates a dillusion we can all empaphise with but he takes it to a level we would never pursue as a warning of what can and does happen. This movie cleverly takes you on a journey where you can choose to get off and the shock value is extremely thought provoking. People looking for a happy ending or a solid moral might not come away satisfied but anyone whos enjoys shocking surrealism like 'The Woodsman' will love this movie.

8/10.

Peter Krause is good in this film. You want to like him because he is handsome. But you realize he is not very bright and is a prejudiced American, so you can't like him. The Egyptian actor who plays the maybe terrorist is compelling, he must be great in other films. Richard Schiff as the FBI agent is quite good. The actress who plays the wife is very pretty and perky and tries to keep things light - why would she be with this lunatic, but maybe that is a good point - people love all kinds of people. I saw the screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Peter Krause mentioned this film as being a bit like Scorsese's TAXI DRIVER. VERY fitting, because that film showed an everyman character, albeit a very dangerous one, who in that case was paranoid because he returned to NYC having served and killed in Vietnam. The 1970s were a time of paranoia. Today I would not say we are as paranoid. Yet we are at war, and maybe we should be paranoid. If you think of this film as a modern TAXI DRIVER, it is interesting. Even if you don't, it's interesting. Krause is not afraid to play a character who is both appealing and unappealing. His character is handsome but very boring, like a lot of Americans. The actor himself seems like a nice and earnest person, which helps his roles. The excellent Egyptian actor should be in more films.