Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: Entertainment

House arrest might not sound like the most enjoyable way to spend a summer vacation. Well it might if one had a home like Martha Stewart's, but let's be realistic, none of us do.

Enduring the heat in the confines of a mundane bedroom could lead to creative ways of passing the time such as watching TV for 10 hours straight, finding new culinary delights (ever had red bull with peanut butter?) or making simple arts and crafts (who knew Twinkies could be used as building blocks?)

In case all that excitement wears off, spying on neighbors is always an option. In "Disturbia" that's exactly what our flawed hero does and ends up getting more than he spied for.

After the death of his father, the once spirited Kale (Shia LaBeouf) turns hostile and following an altercation with his Spanish teacher is sent to the big house. Not jail exactly, he is sentenced to house arrest for the summer. Boredom and loneliness lures him to spy on his neighbors.

Two in particular catch his eye; one is the newly moved in Ashley (Sarah Roemer), a beautiful yet complex blonde, quite the oxymoron. The other neighbor, Mr. Turner (David Morse), is a suave silver-haired bachelor who Kale suspects is a cold-blooded murderer.

The film unfolds nicely as the audience follows Kale through his escapades of conquering Ashley's heart while solving a murder case. Although, here's a warning: the film turns very dark during the last 30 minutes with some truly scary moments.

"Disturbia" is a unique film, which somehow manages to integrate family drama, buddy comedy, romantic comedy and thriller without making a total mess.

Of course, its ambition makes some scenes a bit trite or ill fitting but it works.

LaBeouf, of Disney's "Even Steven" fame, proves he has the charisma and acting chops to become the next big star. He was likable, funny and left an impression with his flair for drama.

Overall "Disturbia" perfectly captures teenage summer angst and shows the exciting yet chilling consequences that follow when a peeping Tom looks in the wrong place.

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