The Perfect Neighbor
The Perfect Neighbor is streaming on Netflix at the time of writing. Rated R. Common Sense says 15+
A minor disagreement between neighbors in Florida takes a lethal turn, with police body camera footage and interviews probing the aftermath of the state's controversial "stand your ground" laws.
STORY: A
Truth is scarier than fiction.
The film is a gut-wrenching wake-up call to put an end to Stand Your Ground laws. It doesn’t plead or persuade. It simply points its eye at the law’s horrific consequences and bares witness.
A fictionalized version of this story would haunt most of us for days. Its reality ensures it will linger in our minds forever.
PEOPLE: A+
The cameras capture the entire community.
The film spans two years of disputes between the film’s main subject, Susan Lorincz, and her neighbors. Lorincz comes across as frighteningly normal at first, which only heightens the terror we feel (or sympathy, as difficult as that is for me to imagine).
That length of time allows us to really get to know everyone in the neighborhood. We watch them play, laugh, and cry. These moments combine to build an intimacy that elevates the climax’s emotional impact.
The depiction of the police is fascinating. The terrible effects institutional oppression has had on the neighborhood can’t hide from the cameras, but we also get to see committed police officers doing their jobs the best that they can as the law will allow. That nuance serves to amplify the film’s message, making it even more effective.
FILM NERD STUFF: A+
Observational documentary at its most powerful.
Director Geeta Gandbhir tells this story using police body-cam footage obtained through the FOIA. The result is riveting, unnerving, and immersive.
You feel as if you’ve been dropped into a VR experience, more a participant than a viewer, as you’re forced to stand by and watch the terrible tragedy unfold.
ONE BIG LESSON: A+
Violence doesn’t solve anything.
Let’s say you don’t feel well. You might think something’s off, or you might ignore it, believing everything’s just fine. We can’t know the truth if we rely solely on our imagination. A biopsy brings truth out from the dark and into the light, forcing us to deal with reality.
This film is a biopsy. You may have imagined what you’d do in a situation like this. This film thrusts you into one.
It’s difficult to watch this film and believe that the current version of Stand Your Ground laws makes people safer. It’s nearly impossible not to feel outrage, disgust, and sorrow.
FINAL COMMENTS:
It’s rare magic when a powerful story meets its perfect medium. When that medium’s style is groundbreaking, it’s unforgettable.
Gandbhir has made a film unlike any other I’ve ever seen. I’m telling everyone I come across that they need to see The Perfect Neighbor. It’s that important.