RED
US, 2008, 92 minutes. Colour.
Brian Cox, Noel Fisher, Kyle Gallner, Shiloh Fernandez, Kim Dickens, Marcia Bennett, Richard Riehle, Tom Sizemore, Robert Englund, Amanda Plummer.
Directed by Trygve Allister Diesen and Lucky Mc Kee.
Red is quite an impressive film. It offers a fine portrait by Brian Cox of a former soldier who lives in isolation in the backwoods, owning a shop in the town, living with grief after the death of his wife and son (later explained in a moving account by Cox to journalist, played by Kim Dickens, that it was his son who was responsible for the deaths). When a group of idle youngsters confronts him while fishing and then kill his dog, laughing at what happened, he decides to act on it. He cannot let the offence go. He visits the sheriff, he visits the father of the boys and receives no satisfaction from him. He follows the boys. One of the brothers is apologetic, but the other, a narcissistic young man who dominates his friends, continues to confront him.
As the process of confrontation continues, Cox goes on television to explain his story. This leads to even stronger confrontations – which lead to tragedy.
Noel Fisher is perfectly persuasive as the obnoxious and violent young man. Kyle Gallner is his younger brother, living in his brother’s shadow. Shiloh Fernandez (Red Riding Hood) is the friend. Tom Sizemore is particularly unpleasant as the boys’ father. Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger) and Amanda Plummer appear as Shiloh Fernandez’ parents.
The film shows life in a small town, the isolation of the individual who suffers from grief, the careless violence of young people, the unwillingness to admit responsibility by the parents – all leading to a sad ending.
Kim Dickens is sympathetic as the television interviewer who suffers because of her espousing Brian Cox’s cause.
The title of the film comes from the name of Cox’s dog, Red.
(Two other films entitled Red came out in succeeding years: the entertaining spoof of espionage with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and a star cast, and the film version of Louis de Bernieres’s novel, Red, set in Western Australia.)
1. The title of the film, the dog, its fate? The screen going red – Ivan and his seeing red? The consequences of brutal action?
2. The Oregon settings, the town, the shops, the homes, the countryside, the lake, the isolated house, the woods? The musical score? Audiences identifying with Ivan Ludlow? In his home, a quiet man, the dog as his companion, the gift from his wife for his fiftieth birthday, going fishing, a likable man? His background as a soldier – later evident in his ability to handle firearms and avoid shots? The later information about his son, his violence towards his mother and brother, the barbarity of his actions? Ivan living with grief?
3. Danny, Harold and Peter, wandering the woods, with the gun, Daniel the leader, narcissistic, dominating, a spoilt son, prone to violence, talking with Ivan, taunting him, the dog, the van, wanting money? Brandishing the gun? Shooting the dog? His laughter, Pete laughing, Harold upset?
4. Ivan and the discussions with the sheriff, the issues of law, the weak penalties for the attack on the dog? The sheriff’s advice, later help?
5. Ivan’s visit to Mr Mc Cormack, the home, wealth, the telling the story, the father spoiling his son, not believing Ivan’s story, the boys summoned to him, their lies? The confrontation, the issue of the law, Ivan and the possibility of suing him? The later visit?
6. Daniel and his character, the leader, his age, in the town, unpopular, the sequence at the baseball and his anger at his failures, Harold in fear of him, Pete as a follower?
7. Harold, going to talk with Ivan, his fears about his brother, offering an apology? Not able to tell the truth?
8. The visit to Pete’s parents, their poverty, aggressive attitude, not believing Ivan, the later situation and the alibi, the money given for the renovations of their house? Their bitterness?
9. Carrie, her work, her interest in the story, interviewing Ivan, watching it on the television, the rock and note through the window? Her later being moved to another department? The sack?
10. Carrie and her being fired, her friendship with Ivan, writing the story for the paper, the New York job, Ivan thinking that it didn’t fully express the truth?
11. Ivan and his shop, the friendship with Emma, the burning down of the house?
12. Ivan, the effect of what had happened, to the dog, his harassment, telling the story to Carrie?
13. The attempt at confronting Mr Mc Cormack, the gun? The drive, Danny in the car with Ivan, the crash, his injuries, yet his return for the dog? His following the boys, in the town, Daniel and the gun, his overwhelming him – and the witnesses all looking on?
14. The visits to Pete’s parents? Their hostility? The wealth and the bribery from Mr Mc Cormack?
15. In the woods, the family confrontation with Ivan? The guns? Danny and his brashness? Ivan and his military experience, able to shoot?
16. The pathos of the death of the two boys? Mc Cormack and bringing this on himself? Ivan and his injuries?
17. Carrie, her return, the article, the reaction of Ivan? Ivan and his confession to her that he had held on to the grudge too long and had suffered the consequences?
18. The film as a moral fable, about offending, about suffering and grief, about vengeance?
