SYNOPSICS
Civic Duty (2006) is a English,Arabic movie. Jeff Renfroe has directed this movie. Peter Krause,Kal Naga,Richard Schiff,Kari Matchett are the starring of this movie. It was released in 2006. Civic Duty (2006) is considered one of the best Drama,Thriller movie in India and around the world.
Shortly after landing a job, Terry Allen is laid off, starts looking for another circa post September 11, 2001 media frenzy and paranoia with President George W. Bush stating that grief has turned to anger, anger to resolution, and that there are thousands of terrorists in over 60 countries ready to strike. With increasing reports of identity theft, the involvement of wealthy & educated foreigners in terrorist activities, Terry starts suspecting his new neighbor, a middle-easterner, who he stereotypes as 'raghead', 'camel jockey', and 'sand nigger'. His wife, Marla, does not share in his bigotry, but he believes that she has turned her attention from rock-stars to Jihadists. While looking for employment, as well as a loan to purchase a house, he also contacts the Federal Bureau of Investigation as he feels he has sufficient evidence that his new neighbor is structuring money, experimenting with chemicals, and associating with other middle-easterners for devious reasons.
Civic Duty (2006) Trailers
Same Actors
Same Director
Civic Duty (2006) Reviews
Patience pays off in the end
Saw this at the Tribeca Festival today and loved it. To be honest, it started out pretty slowly but then, out of nowhere, it turns into this sweaty ride. I know it's supposed to be making a political statement and everything but aside from that, it's just good movie-going (once it kicks in anyway). Peter Krause gives it! And Khaled Abol Naga (the actor playing the maybe or maybe not terrorist) was a really good match for Krause's insaneness. I'm a big fan of not being able to guess the ending and this movie didn't disappoint. Anyway, if you're in New York, check this one out before the festival's over if you can.
TV News Junkie
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".
Good thriller - great topic
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.
Roller Coaster Ride!
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!
Great controversial thriller
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.