Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageCrime + Punishment in Suburbia (2000)
Director: Rob Schmidt
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
A rare disappointment from maverick indie producer Christine Vachon, this story of festering psychosis beneath the placid surface of everyday US suburbia looks familiar coming so soon after American Beauty. Director Schmidt coaxes assured performances from Keena's good-girl-gone-bad and Kartheiser's black-clad loner, with Barkin suitably ravaged as the unhappy mom, and Ironside playing on his usual villainous screen image as the violent dad. One waits in vain for genuine revelations as the plot spirals into murder and remorse, since the artful visuals and supercool soundtrack (Sleater-Kinney, Joey Santiago of The Pixies) make the film seem more cutting edge than it actually is.Author: TJ
Cast & crew
Director: Rob Schmidt
Producer: Pamela Koffler, Larry Gross, Christine Vachon
Cast: Monica Keena, Vincent Kartheiser, Jeffrey Wright, James DeBello, Michael Ironside, Christian Payne, Conchata Ferrell, Ellen Barkin full cast
Duration: 98 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now