Arlington Road1999

SPOILERS This is a film that is nearly equally as deft in its message and ideas as it is heavy-handed. While overall themes are incredibly well executed and thought-provoking, with a Remember Me-level ending that genuinely surprised me, the antagonists’ motivations are flat and incredibly unnuanced. A movie that’s entire point seems to be about grey areas and misunderstood and lost details, wrongful investigation, and even the inhumanity of war has the most boring, basic looney villain.  The whole point of the movie is to show how information can be misconstrued and how innocent people can be wrongfully accused. About how an investigation might not have all the answers and how that can be detrimental and dangerous to all concerned.  And the villain is a mustache-twirling lunatic serial killer who commits his crimes by third-person terrorism. No depth beyond or behind the insanity. No motivation besides government bad. Really a letdown.  I still really enjoyed the film overall, but that one thing, which is the crux of the film, was completely disappointing. So I recommend it, but I just wish it went that little bit farther.