PACIFIC HEIGHTS

Cinemavixion Review

John Schlesinger's 'Pacific Heights' offers a chilling descent into the perils of homeownership and the nightmare of a truly problematic tenant. The film masterfully builds tension as a young couple, portrayed with relatable earnestness by Matthew Modine and Melanie Griffith, strive to renovate their dream Victorian home, only to find their aspirations threatened by the insidious presence of Michael Keaton's character, Carter Hayes. Keaton delivers a performance of unnerving calm and calculated malice, embodying a tenant who weaponizes the legal system to terrorize his landlords. Schlesinger expertly crafts an atmosphere of escalating dread, transforming the idyllic San Francisco setting into a claustrophobic battleground. While the film may not shy away from thriller conventions, its exploration of societal anxieties surrounding property rights and the vulnerability of homeowners resonates deeply, making it a compelling watch.