‘The Perfect Neighbor’ Review: A Devastating Doc Observes the Chilling Consequences of Stand-Your-Ground Laws

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In Geeta Gandbhir’s powerful documentary The Perfect Neighbor, there’s a moment where a Marion County police officer inquires Susan Lorincz, a white resident of Florida, if she has ever used the racial slur towards her Black neighbor’s children. Lorincz appears puzzled by the query and quickly denies it. However, later on, she admits that perhaps the word might have been uttered unintentionally. She explains that she was taught to employ this term when referring to individuals who were acting “unlawful, dirty,” or generally unpleasant.

That instance offers some insights on two key aspects: Firstly, it sheds light on Lorincz’s thoughts, one of the main characters in Gandbhir’s documentary; secondly, it underscores the potential dangers of Stand Your Ground laws in a nation grappling with racial prejudice.

The original law permitting citizens to employ force, including lethal action, if they feel threatened, was enacted in Utah back in 1994. Eleven years later, Florida adopted a similar law, and since then, approximately 30 states have endorsed self-defense regulations. These laws have faced significant criticism, especially following high-profile incidents: George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin in 2012, claimed self-defense as did William Bryan and Travis and Greg McMichael, who pursued and killed Ahmaud Arbery in 2020. However, despite evidence suggesting that these laws, often supported by the National Rifle Association, may foster an uptick in racially motivated violence, they remain valid.

Debuting at Sundance, the film titled “The Perfect Neighbor” delves into the repercussions of Stand Your Ground laws using a personal narrative that garnered media attention. In June 2023, Lorincz discharged a solitary bullet at her African-American neighbor Ajike Owens, a mother of four, as she approached her door. Subsequently, the elderly, secluded white woman stated to police that she felt threatened. Primarily relying on police body camera footage, Gandbhir weaves together a chronology of events that unfolded on that summer day. The film portrays a tranquil community in Ocala, Florida, and constructs an emotionally impactful story about a long-standing dispute with ominous developments. Executive produced by Sam Pollard and Soledad O’Brien, this movie offers a gripping and at times unsettling portrayal of racial prejudice, police indifference, and the fallout from America’s self-defense legislation.

The Ideal Neighborhood initiates in a state of turmoil, as police cars and ambulances hurry to address an alarming emergency call. The voices on the line echo phrases such as “She’s shot her.” Upon arrival at the cul-de-sac, where indistinguishable single-story houses stand, officers encounter residents frantically signaling for help. The raw footage adds to the atmosphere of apprehension and urgency. Interviews, with audio snippets accompanying visuals of this picturesque suburban setting, ensue.

For the first time in 2022, Lorincz filed a complaint against Owens with the Marion County police. She alleged that her neighbor had struck her with a plastic “Keep Out” sign she kept on display near her property. In the video footage, you can see the responding officers investigating the incident, speaking to Lorincz, Owens, and several other residents. Witnesses refute Lorincz’s account of Owens throwing the sign. Instead, they describe this newcomer to the neighborhood as troublesome. She often scolds children for riding their bikes or playing football near her property. She accuses them of making noise, attempting to steal her vehicle, and even threatening her personally.

It becomes increasingly clear that Lorincz could be the source of trouble. She repeatedly reports instances of aggression without any solid proof. Whenever a police officer goes to the neighborhood, they follow the same strategy: They advise Lorincz that kids will act out, they remind children about respecting her property boundaries (even though all houses in this area are rentals), and they caution adults to handle their agitated neighbor with care. This paints a picture of an unstable individual, yet no serious attempts seem to be made to find a lasting resolution. The conflict simmers, and what was once a community known for its protective camaraderie now feels hostile.

In her final film titled “Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power,” Gandbhir constructs a compelling yet uncomplicated portrayal of self-determination in a brutally segregated region of Alabama using archival footage and conventional interviews. This time, the director employs a more subtle narrative technique, allowing the underlying metaphors and themes to emerge naturally. The inclusion of police body cam footage adds an intriguing element, giving the documentary a sense of drama reminiscent of true crime stories. It’s important to acknowledge that officers have control over when they activate these devices, which raises questions about unrecorded incidents. Nevertheless, listening to how law enforcement interact with Lorincz is enlightening, especially as it becomes apparent that her timid demeanor is largely an act. The police never perceive her as a threat, and their attitude – gentle entreaties, dismissal – highlights the stark contrast in the way law enforcement treats white people compared to others.

Over time, “The Perfect Neighbor” gradually gains strength and pace, reaching a climax that is truly impactful. However, in its final act, the movie takes a slight dip as Gandbhir expands her focus to explore the fallout following the fateful June night. This shift is somewhat challenging: The director switches from raw body cam footage to more refined images depicting Owens’ funeral and the community’s efforts to apprehend Lorincz. These scenes, featuring appearances by civil rights leaders like Al Sharpton, have a haunting familiarity, yet they lack the intensity of the preceding sequences.

To be sure, it’s not Lorincz or the Marion County police’s handling of her case that stirs the deepest emotions in The Perfect Neighbor. Instead, it is the portrayal of Owens, her children, and the responses of their community to her demise that evoke strong feelings. The police footage serves to emphasize their sorrow and underscores the extent of their unmet needs. The film raises thought-provoking questions about what justice means for children who will never again see their mother and bear an undeserved burden of guilt for her death, and who must pay the price for another person’s fear. In this way, Gandbhir’s documentary serves as a powerful critique of not only these laws but also the nation that supports them.

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2025-01-25 06:25