Love Thy Neighbor (2006 TV Movie) User Reviews

A predictable flick we've seen before

[caa821 · 5/10 · 10 October 2007]

I accessed this movie on this site for a friend. She was curious about it, since she had been in Toronto while they were shooting it (are any of these Lifetime flicks made anywhere but Canada or Seattle anymore?) -- and had met some of the cast.

By coincidence it was indicated as being shown again in a few days (Oct, 10/'07), and I was able to catch it -- and frankly was curious after seeing some of these comments.

It has the formula for which somebody at "Lifetine" obviously has a check-list -- where only some superfluous details in the particular story vary: (1) an initially friendly, even giddy, neighbor, who turns-out to be a raving sociopath; a disturbed "heroine," who at times is so banal as to diminish the degree of sympathy we might afford her; the husband who is something of an amiable doophus; dialog and several scenes which make the typical soap opera seem an intellectual presentation by comparison; to the inevitable child, sometimes annoying, sometimes (like here) a precocious catalyst to the story and the sociopath's actions.

There is also the further aspect to this particular story -- also not unknown to this genre -- where the family move, made following a "once-in-a-lifetime" dangerous experience, only finds worse in their new locale.

But, all-in-all, a bit fascinating in its predictable mediocrity, and watching the inevitable Jeckyll-to Hyde metamorphosis of the intrusive psycho

Sometimes this type flick rates, say 3 or 4 *'s. Give this one 5, because the acting is a bit better than most.

Getting Neighborly with Shannon Lawson

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 22 June 2012]

After a violent break-in and robbery, crisis-counselor Alexandra Paul (as Laura Benson) is disturbed by flashbacks. Her soccer-playing teen daughter Ksenia Solo (as Erin) has nightmares. Husband and father Gary Hudson (as Jim), often absent due to his work, decides to move the Illinois family of three to a gated community. Idyllic "Arbor Eden" is heavily secured; it has an entrance officer, coded doorways, and super-tough windows. As this is a "Lifetime" TV-thriller, you can assume they will be needed...

At first, all seems well. The family adopts smart cat "Fred" to replace their likewise named, and unfortunately murdered, dog. Problems involve missing furniture and overbearing neighbor Shannon Lawson (as Janis Rivers). In a custody battle with her ex, Ms. Lawson lives with painfully shy daughter Michelle Killoran (as Jenny), in a perfectly decorated house. As chicken-fed chubby as Paul is attractively thin, Lawson gets on her neighbors' nerves. Lawson deliciously bites into her role, helping make this one fun.

****** Love Thy Neighbor (2/26/06) Paul Schneider ~ Alexandra Paul, Shannon Lawson, Ksenia Solo, Gary Hudson

Fruit of the month

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 3 January 2012]

**SPOILERS** It's when Erin Benson, Ksenla Solo, made the high school womens succor team at the expense of her daughter Jenny, Michelle Killoran, Janis Rivers, Shannon Lawson, who wasn't that stable to begin with completely flipped out of her skull. Determined to get Jenny on the team Janis started to hound Erin's mom Laura Benson, Alexandra Paul, into having her daughter reject her position on the team in favor of Jenny. This was just the beginning of the damage that Janis caused in the movie not only to the Benson's who at first were her best friends but everyone else whom she felt was a threat to her perfect lifestyle.

We already saw what an overbearing nut case Janis was at the beginning of the movie but as time went on she went from silly to obnoxious to murderous in trying to get her way at the expense of anyone whom she felt threatened the perfect world that she created for herself. When in fact it was Janis who was threatening everyone in the movie including her daughter Jenny and estranged and severely battered husband Allen, John Jarvis. As for the Bensons, Laura Erin and Papa Jim, played by Gary Hudson, they just moved into this supposedly safe and gated community of the Arbor Eden Etsates thinking all the trouble they went through in the old neighborhood was behind them. That's when they were the victims of a home invasion where their pet dog Fred was killed. With the crazed Janis Rivers now out to get her, and her daughter Erin, Laura is in far more danger now then when was when she ever was back then! With Janis pulling out all stops to destroy her and her daughter's future in the world of women's soccer as well as getting a collage scholarship and education!

***SPOILERS*** What struck me as a bit ridicules is how Janis was able to convince Erins succor Coach Brand, Scott Wickwere, that Erin was on drugs and have her kicked off the team without a stitch of proof at all! What's even more ridicules is when the coach didn't put Jenny back on the succor team Janis then plants a story that he was having an affair with the mother of one of his succor players, obviously Mrs. Benson, and has him canned by the school principle Rennet, Paul Stevens. Why the hell would Rennet listen to this obvious nut-job and not to Coach Brand whom he's known for some 20 years! And if anybody in the movie would have just had done a background check on Janis they would have known right away that she's someone not to be taken seriously in her accusations against anyone!

As usual the good part in the movie is saved for last with a now totally crazed and out of control Janis,in seeing her entire fantasy world collapsing all around her, go for it in trying to do in a at first a terrified Laura Benson who quickly ends up getting the upper hand and finally puts an end to Janis reign of terror at quiet and peaceful Arbor Eden Estates.

Creepy, good job by Shannon Lawson

[vchimpanzee · 19 June 2007]

In the middle of the night, Laura Benson is alone in the house with her daughter Erin when she is awakened by the frantic barking of dog Fred. She goes to see what is going on and finds two burglars, one of whom is pointing a gun at her. She runs to protect Erin and call the cops.

When husband Jim gets home from a business trip, he refuses to leave his family again, despite a deadline. Laura goes back to work as a counselor for St. Agnes (we're never told just what that is), but it soon becomes clear SHE is the one in need of counseling.

With just Jim's income, selling the house and moving to a gated community doesn't seem the most logical course of action, but it is necessary for Laura to regain her sanity. Or at least that was the theory. Jim sells airplanes, and the more he can be away, the more money he can make, so maybe this will work out after all.

The family's first visitor is an affectionate feline who gets the name Fred. He is followed by the annoyingly friendly Janice Rivers and her shy daughter Jenny. Janice is divorced because of abuse (and Jenny's father wants custody), and she tries a little too hard to make sure her new neighbors like her. Jenny and Erin do become friends and try out for the soccer team.

Will this ideal community turn out to be better than the "real world"? Well, if it did, what would be the point of the movie? There are a lot of problems that need solving, and plenty of twists that may or may not be the result of what one might expect.

Shannon Lawson is the biggest reason to watch. She does a great job as the perky yet disturbed neighbor. She seems like a cross between Edie McClurg and Kelly Bishop in "Gilmore Girls". No, make that Joan Crawford. Yeah, that's better.

Ksenia Solo makes a likable but slightly edgy teenage daughter. And Alexandra Paul is quite good-looking, and a capable actress too.

Sean Baek doesn't spend much time on screen, but he's scary enough as one of the burglars.

There is some violence, but for the most part it's not too graphic. Language is tamer than in most theatrical movies, but one word that seems to trouble broadcast networks gets used quite a bit. I don't recommend this movie to pet lovers who might be easily upset.

It's actually a pretty good thriller. For a Lifetime movie, anyway.

Warning!

[Miniture01 · 1/10 · 18 February 2022]

The dog gets killed right at the start because apparently it's totally normal for them to abandon it a soon as they see the burglars and lock it out of the room they are hiding in like it's nothing. Not even the young daughter, who the dog walked out with from her bedroom had no thought about it. Not a "what about Fred?!" Or a "we can't leave fred behind" (Fred was the dogs name) nope nothing. Then the dog gets shot, you can here it yelp, even then they say nothing. It's only when the burglar scene is over and it's the next morning they are crying as they put the dogs body in a box, Ofcourse with no regrets what so ever only self pitty. Then the mom even has the audacity to tell her daughter "you where both puppies growing up you know?" Really mom?! Then why did you leave one of your "puppies" so carelessly behind?!

Stupid script, simple minded people.

100 lost mins of my life

[adam-1511 · 2/10 · 19 June 2008]

This was shown on a premium channel, so I didn't realise it was made for TV. Even so, I like some of the movies on lifetime (Lifestyle here in UK), but this was awful. The family were so cheesy, "Love you mum" "Love you even more honey" Then after they were broken into for the second time, 10 mins later, they were at it again, "Love you mum" big cheesy smiles etc... She phones her husband, and tells him not to bother coming home. They were only broken into by a guy that wanted them dead, have a nutter living next door, who needs help? She has her teenage daughter and a cat (not for long) to look after her.

However, as a comedy, I'd give it a good 7. I might even show it to my friends next time I have them round. Could be great fun after a bottle of Vodka or 10!

Arbor Eden is Actually Hell

[lavatch · 5/10 · 1 September 2022]

One of our favorite actresses, Alexandra "Lifetime" Paul, stars as Laura Benson, a kind wife and mother who suffers trauma after a home break-in. The Benson family moves to a gated community called Arbor Eden only to discover that they are living next to a neighbor from hell.

It was not convincing at all that the realtor (the word was mispronounced by one character as "re-la-tor") would not disclose to the Benson family that the previous occupants moved out due to the deranged neighbor, Janis Rivers.

At first, Ms. Rivers seems only obnoxious and lonely, referring to herself as "Pushy Patty" and "Wide Mouth Mason." In fact, she is a violent, psychopathic control freak. The police detective was completely incompetent in failing to run a background check on Ms. Rivers.

The film was disappointing in the deaths of two family pets, a dog and a cat, as well as the overall unpleasantness of Ms. Rivers. Arbor Eden was described as a locale that is "a piece of paradise." But it instantly turned into the Benson family's worst nightmare.

One convincing plot strand was the reaction of high school officials, who took the word of an anonymous caller (Ms. Rivers, of course) to suspend Erin Benson from the soccer team and to land the coach in hot water for an alleged affair (again mentioned in an anonymous Ms. Rivers phone call). The film was made in 2006, and with the passing of over a decade, the integrity of public schools has declined to the point that the overzealous school officials depicted in this film are the norm.

Wack, Bad Acting

[smevansse-66812 · 3/10 · 21 February 2022]

Great storyline but acting from the mother was terrible. Also to have a not so bright mother is played out. The movie was Predictable. Security guard was slow. Everything about the mother was off. The neighbor was good.

Who made the good comment on this movie?

[meredith-64 · 5/10 · 2 April 2006]

I don't know who wrote (above) that this movie is a "must see"... but whatever drugs they are on, they are pretty powerful.

The movie is about a psychopath neighbor who is intent on wrecking the ordinary lives of the main family. It's pretty tedious to watch. Unfortunately, the only reason I ended up watching it was because it got such a high percentage. Then I looked at the votes afterwards, and 18 of the 23 (at that time) were straight 10s. All the other votes were quite low. My boyfriend says this is quite possibly the crew and/or promoters of the movie. Either way, they did get me to watch the movie, and now I have to vote low. Sorry, it sucked.

Hilariously bad ...

[kavazuma · 1/10 · 23 June 2007]

... or should I say unintentionally hilarious? Either way, this is one of the best comedies I've seen in a long time. I was laughing throughout at the antics of some of the dumbest fictional characters this side of Homer Simpson. It's just one forehead-slapping, painfully stupid scene after another as the clownish, dim-witted cardboard cutouts substituting for actual humanoid characters push, pull, and drag the "plot" to its inevitable and obvious conclusion.

If I had to describe this movie to someone, I'd call it a mutated hybrid of Fatal Attraction, Dumb and Dumber, and the Three Stooges, with a "climax" uncannily similar to the episode of Family Guy in which the whole family gets into a knock-down fistfight in the living room.

Advice to Benson family: next time you get a new pet, do the poor animal a favor and DON'T name it Fred!

Love Thy Neighbour was entertaining and suspenseful

[trevlyn-1 · 9/10 · 5 April 2006]

I don't watch a lot of movies but by accident tuned in "Love Thy Neighbour" on Sunday. Lately I end up tiring of movies and don't watch the complete show but I was pulled into the story and found it intriguing. I enjoy a good suspense but usually am freaked because they are too graphic or beyond belief...I found this story realistic and scary enough to put me on the edge of my seat without going beyond my scope of endurance. One part I found particularly unnerving was the idea that we are all looking for a secure place and that the actual threat can come right from within. I was satisfied with the resolution of the story and found the conclusion plausible and not contrived. All the plot tied together in the end. I would recommend this movie to my friends.

SO BAD you can't stop watching..

[Bryatilm · 1/10 · 23 June 2007]

The acting is awkward and creepy, and not in a good way...at all. The writing, the dialogue, and the chemistry between the actors is horrible. Nothing makes sense and every close-up of an actor's expression or reaction lasts 3 or 4 seconds too long, making it seem like a Mexican Soap Opera (telenovela). Everything about the writing is unrealistic, and all of the actors involved make it that much worse with their campy interpretations of the script. Am I the only one who sees this??? To use the word cheesy to describe this Canadian disaster would be the understatement of the century. Did the director even watch the final cut before it was put on the air???

Fair melodrama

[guil12 · 23 May 2009]

Alexandra Paul, who plays the leading role, is somewhat nuts throughout. She comes off as a live looney. And she does the most stupid things throughout the movie. You don't wonder she's a victim. She asks for it. I cheered when she got knocked down. She can't even run up the stairs without tripping. Coordination is not her forte. She has one expression that of shock and amazement. A bad actress. Shannon Lawson as the villain, does better in her schizo personality performance. Ksenia Solo as the daughter reminds me of Roseanne's daughter on her sitcom. Scott Wickware is good as the coach and Rod Crawford does well as the guard who hasn't a clue. Gary Hudson plays the usual Perry King type of husband, who is never there and doesn't believe his wife. Why are husbands so lost in space?

Among the worst movies ever - so bad as good

[pepeperez129 · 1/10 · 28 July 2007]

So bad as good - not only the script is obvious, but the acting is not just poor, but pathetic. The worst of all is the definition of the characters: unrealistic ingenuity, affected reactions, camera forcing to watch superficial aspects, which are introduced as keys to the plot.

Can't prevent laughing when, at the end, main character says to second something like 'your daughter plays no soccer and knows no cooking'. Such offense to female intelligence defines the level of this film.

Is the film about the psychological behaviour of the second character?, about its impact on the main character?, or just a sequence of events set in order to heat for the obvious ending?

Pls, make more of these - I had a good time guessing what next would go wrong...

Embarrassingly bad

[rhefner2002 · 1/10 · 1 December 2023]

I have no excuse for watching this movie, other than being in some kind of self-flagellating mood. Within five minutes, the amateurish acting and the phony sounding dialogue tipped me off that I was watching junk. But I hung in there for some perverse reason. All I can say is, it was the equivalent of a 90 minute coma.

The only reason I gave this movie one star is that it's apparently not possible to give zero.

Movies like this make me wonder: Who actually finances this stuff? Could they actually think that audiences are this dumb? Unfortunately, I believe that the producers of this crap know exactly what they're doing.

SPOILER: the dog dies

[coreyellenblake · 1/10 · 2 August 2023]

The main actress completely dismisses the safety of her dog in the home invasion even though he weighs about 15 lbs. Did she think he would be useful in the protection and defense of two huge men while she and her daughter barricaded themselves in the bedroom with a dresser? The dog is fatally shot and his little dead dog body shown. I'm so traumatized by this. Do not recommend for these reasons alone. No need for this to happen in order for the movie to continue. RIP, Fred! I'm sorry Alexandra Paul is too horrible of an actor to care about your well being! I would have saved you over Erin, Fred! JUSTICE FOR FRED!

Have to Disagree

[baggrees · 9/10 · 8 April 2006]

I had fun watching this. There were some good twists that I didn't see coming and some good suspense. While they are others out there who hate Lifetime movies, I have to say I love the majority of them (there are exceptions though). And this movie is one that I liked. If you don't like Lifetime, all you have to do is not watch it. I loved Alexandra Paul in this and Lover's Revenge and Saving Emily. I also saw that Love Thy Neighbor scored the highest approval rating in the Nielsens that they've "ever had for an Indy film." I honestly can see how people would dislike Lifetime films, but they are what they are. I am the audience they're shooting for I guess. If you're looking for an Academy Award film, you're not going to find it on Lifetime. But if you like these movie of the week popcorn movies, then I'd recommend this one as much as any other. To each is own I guess.

wonderful movie...a must see!!

[payneo2 · 10/10 · 27 February 2006]

This was a great movie. I love movies of the week and watch them all of the time. I liked the idea of the family needing to feel safe so they move to the gated community. We all wonder what it would be like to live in that type of neighborhood. And, don't we all dread that one neighbor who just HAS to be everyone's friend?! LOL. I really enjoyed Alexandra Paul too. She always delivers a good performance. She had great chemistry with the leading man as well. I thought the female villain was SO well done. She was creepy and hilarious all at once. The actress was perfectly cast! If you are a big movie watcher like I am, you have got to see this one. It seemed to have it all. It was suspenseful, fun and the acting was also good. I wish we could see more movies like this one!

Love thy neighbor

[lookwhosknocking · 9/10 · 7 March 2006]

If you're a woman, if you like Lifetime movies, if you're a fan of Alexandra Paul, then you should enjoy this. It is more of mind thriller than a chase "I'm being stalked by someone" movie. I liked the exchanges between the two feuding neighbors and wonder if they needed to keep the whole robbery story going throughout. I guess it added some doubt and some twists, but I think the movie still would've played fine without it. Also, they never explained who EXACTLY killed the cat. Was it Janis or was it the coyotes? Also, was Janis dead in the end as she was put into the ambulance? I wasn't quite sure. All in and all, the movie delivers what it sets out to.

Good Old Fun

[gfunkrailroader · 10/10 · 26 February 2006]

I hate to say it, but I'm a sucker for these Lifetime thrillers. This is one of those fun one's where you think you know the ending, then change your mind, then change it back, and then change it again. It's one of those one's where you just want to say, "Stop, he's going to kill you." But as I've gotten older I realize the characters on screen can't hear me lol. Alexandra Paul's in amazing shape and her villain co-star steals the show. I actually know people like the Janis character (well kind of), which makes me want to get extra locks on my doors. But the old fashioned deadbolt kind. My only complaint, why'd you have to kill the dog?

things are not always the way they seem(great movie with great acting)

[disdressed12 · 9/10 · 5 March 2007]

holy crap.i thought this was a great movie.it is a made for TV movie,but it is better than most TV movies,and even comparable to some theatrical releases.the premise is not new,family moves into a new community after a break-in at their old house, to start a new life.things seem great in the new community,but then things start happening.i won't say anymore except that there is a psycho stalking the family.and let me tell you,this psycho is really nuts.but what really elevates this movie is the acting.which i thought was fantastic.there's also lots of tension ans suspense to keep you unnerved.this is a very entertaining movie,deserving of a higher rating than it currently has.i've seen a few TV movies of the genre and this is one of the better 1's.my vote for 'Love Thy neighbour': 9/10

A big Arbor Eden hello to YOU, neighbor

[brendanchenowith · 10/10 · 26 May 2008]

Is this a bad drama, or is this brilliant satire? Yes it was stupid, on the surface, but as I watched this and muttered about how badly they're acting, and what cheesy dialogue, it made me think of Serial Mom. Serial Mom worked because we knew what we were getting into when the film was released, but since there was no real clue in the promos, it was baffling - and I love that. The audience was being teased.

Best part of the movie - Shannon Lawson as the picture-perfect neighbor from hell - fake self-effacing humor, constant quotes, big smiles, while her daughter skulks silently in the background. We all could sense the opening ticks of a time bomb, but when Janis's ex-husband drops their daughter off at home, Janis pulls up in - WHAT ELSE - an SUV, charges at the two of them at the gate and just goes off on her poor ex, while yanking the kid and practically throwing her back in the van.

The macho soccer coach broke me up, too. The scene where he's accused of having sex with team members' moms had me rolling on the floor. Of course it's a TV-movie cliché, but it was still fun to watch, just like this whole movie is. Now, would I clamor for a Criterion Collection edition? No. I would, however, love to see the outtakes, the "making-of" footage. The cast must've had a wild time on the set.

Creepy thriller!

[Chartreuse1 · 9/10 · 1 February 2022]

Laura, Jim, and Erin experience a home invasion and decide to move to a safer home. That is until they meet Janis Rivers, a nosy neighbor. At first, she seems nice and welcoming. But we find out she's very needy and nutty as a fruitcake! Shannon Lawson who plays the crazy neighbor was well cast in this role. Highly recommended!!!