The Man Next Door

Yes overdone low budget but slightly courageous almost effective if not for such exaggerated "not in my neighborhood" intolerance. The 2 -3 main characters were pretty decent (believable) but the 'extras' or whomever they gathered up to play the town members went into mob mentality too soon and stayed at a rabid volume that drowned out any likable qualities - in any of them - that might have induced some empathy. Yes nobody's surprised that a crime with such high odds for reoffending scares a community into frantic vigilantism but usually there's a few who see a paid debt to society as a fresh start. But most don't it's both unfair and understandable. This is a topic that might warrant a serious attempt at portraying the human dilemma.....this was watchable.

I started watching this film just to see how realistic the story was as I am particularly interested in films based on true stories. At first the story was quite predictable with a man who had served time for rape coming to settle in a small town because his brother was there. Once people came to know his background, it took very little time before things got complex and very unpleasant.

Soon I realised the story was as much about his parole officer and her doubts about him as it was about his own struggle. I began to get more interested when he attended a counselling group and I got some insight into how such groups were run--it was quite confrontational. My impression of this story is it could have been written by someone familiar with the challenges of being a parole officer, especially in a small town. As such I found it quite interesting and realistic.

Though mid budget, a tad overly dramatic, and only one glitch in the rapist's reactions acting-wise, this is a bold and pretty well put together little film. It is no holds barred on the harsh and violent subjects, with characters going nose-to-nose on rarely discussed happenings in sex crimes. Bravo, I say - glad I watched it.

A good premise ruined by overblown melodramatics and acting (with the exception of Michael Ontkean, who plays the rapist with much dignity). I know the movie is in trouble, when the only character I can sympathize with is the bad guy!. This is a good story that deserved a more sober, less sensationalized treatment.

This movie deserves some credit for the message it conveys, a not so popular reality about rehabilitation.

Michael Ontkean is believable as a former sex offender who is now living in a small town in a nondescript area of rural California. He is on parole, and his officer (well-portrayed by capable actress Pamela Reed) is concerned he may be a repeat offender. He was previously convicted for three out of six charges, including aggravated rape.

We see the dehumanization, the mentality towards this crime, and the attitude the town has, once they learn of his crimes. It is realistic. Not certain if this story was based entirely on truth but the killing of his dog was very disturbing. Annette O'Toole is also very good as Ontkean's frightened neighbor, a former victim of rape.

The subject is complex, and we see it through different viewpoints. The perpetrator, trying to re-make his life; the parole officer, upholding the law; the victims, how they are affected, and the simmering rage of frustrated townspeople. All in all a good message worth more studying. 8/10.