Published November 04, 2009 03:27 pm - WEEKENDER for Nov. 6, 2009: Peter Krause, best known as Nate Fisher on HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” plays a chillingly unbalanced laid-off accountant in “Civic Duty.”
Krause nicely unbalanced in ‘Civic Duty’ Bob Lebzelter / Video Viper
Peter Krause, best known as Nate Fisher on HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” plays a chillingly unbalanced laid-off accountant in “Civic Duty.”
Krause plays Terry Allen, who faces his own problems after his company downsizes. He’s a boring, dorky kind of guy. When an annoying, overenthusiastic bank clerk reminds him he could use the “ATM machine” in the lobby, he gives her a lecture about how ATM stands for automatic teller machine, so she is telling him he can use the automatic teller machine machine.
Kari Matchett plays his wife, Marla, who goes off to work while he stays home and broods. He becomes mesmerized by a 24-hour news channel and its post 9-11 reports of terrorists and paranoia.
At the same time, Terry gets a new neighbor. He is Gabe Hassan, played by Khaled Abol Naga, a Middle Eastern student obtaining his masters degree, sponsored by an Islamic organization at an American university.
The new neighbor has little furniture. He keeps getting odd-sized packages. He looks suspcious at the trash Dumpster early in the morning.
Terry’s suspicions grow and grow. Wife becomes concerned about her husband’s mental health.
Terry sees President Bush on TV churn the waters, describing how there are thousands of terrorists and many are wealthy and educated.
The Krause character becomes more and more paranoid. He contacts the FBI with his suspicions.
The agent, played by Richard Schiff of “West Wing” fame, is underwhelmed by Krause’s suspicisons.
Terry breaks into the student’s home, looking for evidence. He thinks the man has broken into his home as well. He finds odd-sized bottles and test tubes. Records show the Middle Easterner is getting an awful lot of money to go to school.
And nobody, not his wife, not the FBI, agrees with his suspicions.
He becomes so crazed, he starts taking things into his own hands.
Jeff Renfroe is a novice director but does a nice job building the suspense as the Krause character continues to lose it.
The story premise is different and timely, mixing the aftermath on the attacks on the United States with the downsizing of the U.S. job market.
Matchett is effective as the wife who tries to bring her husband back to reality, knowing she is doomed to failure.
Part time Medical Equipment Delivery/Service Technician nician Cleveland to Erie area. Customer service skills required, clean driving record a must. Send resume to PO Box...>MORE
WANTED TO BUY Immediate Cash for unwanted items. Call for details 440-319-4274...>MORE
SEASONED FIREWOOD FOR SALE Mixed Hardwoods. Cut & split approx 16” $225.00 cord (+) or Slab wood, cut $150.00 cord(+). Delivered within 15 miles of...>MORE
"WE NEED LAND!" Paying top prices for farms or acreage in OH, W. Virginia and PA. Call Bruner Land Co. at (740) 685-8138....>MORE
MACHINERY & TOOLS SAFES- Large & small, Forklifts, extra forks, Pallet Jacks, air compressors, (1-20HP), complete torch sets, welding gass...>MORE
RENTALS GENEVA ON THE LAKE Furnished 3BR Spectacular Lake View; Also 2BR avail. Exceptionally clean. A must see. Util. incl. 440-466-54...>MORE
Conneaut House for Rent Conn: 2 or 3BR 1.5 BA $425+ dep.+util. No pets. 440-256-8300...>MORE
House for Rent Geneva Geneva: Short or long term 4BR 2BA, all furn., appl., linens & kitchenware, EC $790/mo You pay heat & elect. (I pay inte...>MORE
House for Rent GOTL 3BR 2BA ranch, quiet, shed, $675/mo+util+dep. 440-285-4150...>MORE
House for Rent in Ashtabula Ash 3BR W. 8th, $675+sec. lease no pets, gas incl. (440)964-5797...>MORE
Unfurnished Apartments Two bdrm 1st flr apt. $525/mo incl ALL UTILITIES, quiet park setting - NO DOGS. 440-466-7885....>MORE
Austinburg upstairs 1BR Apartment New windows, heaters, carpet, has appl. $350/mo+electric. 812-4662...>MORE
GENEVA APARTMENT FOR RENT 2BR, 208 N. Broadway $500 + utils. 440-428-9082, Mon-Thur....>MORE
Remodeled Apartment in Ashtabula Ash. Remodeled 2BR/1.5bath laundry $350 +dep. Some utils.pd. OPEN: 1-4 Fri./Sat. 519 W. 38th or call for an appt. (440)...>MORE
Conneaut House for Rent Conn. 3BR/1.5ba all appls./ trash inc. $575+sec. (440)265-0100...>MORE
Print this story
Post to del.icio.us
