There are a lot of Lucky McKee fans out there. As a director, he's been very elusive. "May" was pure genius and featured an astonishing performance from Angela Bettis. "The Woods" was his much anticipated follow-up that just couldn't live up to the hype. His Masters of Horror entry, "Sick Girl", showed much promise, but it's his latest film, "Red", that should have thrust him into the spotlight for good. I have no idea why it didn't. "Red" is an amazing piece of filmmaking and the kind of slow-paced thriller that Kubrick would have loved. "Red" is co-directed by the ever evolving McKee and it comes to us from a story by popular author Jack Ketchum.
The film opens with Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox) and his dog, Red, sitting by a river fishing. A group of three young boys come up on them and attempt to rob the aging man. When the boys realize the man doesn't have much for them to take, they shoot his dog in the head, make jokes about it and then leave. So begins "Red", one of the most haunting character studies in recent memory. Ludlow makes it his personal missions to get something, anything from the boys. The father of two of the boys, Michael McCormack (Tom Sizemore) doesn't believe Ludlow, or he does and just doesn't care. Either way, he does nothing. Ludlow consults an attorney and even brings the event to the attention of the local press, but nothing comes of it. Ludlow, determined to exact some justice on what happened to his beloved dog, sets on a course that will change many live forever.
This is a film about principles and a film about justice. The character of Avery Ludlow is not simply someone who takes the law into his own hands. He doesn't want money. He doesn't want attention. As he tells another person in the film, he just wants 'honesty'. All he wants is for the boys to admit what they did, apologize and maybe have some minor punishment thrown their way. But it's not punishment he wants, it's honesty. By the time the end of the film rolls around and we've been slammed with brutal force, you have to wonder who's to blame? Is it the father of the boys for letting his sons literally get away with murder? Is it Ludlow, who just won't let up, even when the consequences of his actions might outweigh the initial offense? Is it the local reporter (Kim Dickens) who initially comes to Ludlow as a way of acquiring ratings and improving her career?
This is an impeccable performance from Brian Cox. He won't receive any Oscar attention whatsoever, but I don't see how another actor could deliver a performance this year with this much depth and emotion. Cox has one scene where he's explaining what happened to his wife and two children and the directors make the choice to stay on Cox the entire time. It's a wise move that pays off because you just can't turn away. I can't think of the last time I was that transfixed on a single shot for so long without blinking. Tom Sizemore turns in a nasty little turn as the father, and Robert Englund proves he's not just a one-note horror actor in a role as an abusive white trash husband. Horror vets Ashley Laurence and Richard Riehle pop up also. Overall, it's a fine ensemble, but it's Brian Cox who steals the show and carries the film.
What makes "Red" work is the idea that people should be responsible for their actions. Ludlow doesn't set out to cause what he eventually causes. But he won't stop until justice is served. His scene at the end of the film suggests at his disappointment over how things went down, but you see very little in the way of remorse. People must suffer the consequences of their actions at whatever cost. "Red" is one of the best films of the year and it might end up being my favorite. I plan on watching it several more times in the very near future and I encourage you to do so as well. Lucky McKee has given us a film of real depth and power. I can't wait to see what he gives us next and I hope it's at least half as incredible as "Red" was.
Brian Cox (Avery Ludlow)
Noel Fisher (Danny)
Tom Sizemore (Michael McCormack)
Kyle Gallner (Harold)
Kim Dickens (Carrie Donnel)
Robert Englund (Willie Doust)
Amanda Plummer (Mrs. Doust)
Ashley Laurence (Mrs. McCormack)
Director: Trygve Allister Diesen & Lucky McKee
RATED R
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