RED WING
US, 2013, 108 minutes, Colour.
Glen Powell, Bill Paxton, Luke Perry, Joelle Carter, Frances Fisher, Breann Johnson.
Directed by Will Wallace.
Red Wing is definitely a story for American audiences, especially those in America’s South and South West. It has a Texas setting. However, it should please audiences beyond the United States who come across it and watch it.
In one sense, the plot and the treatment resemble many of the recent American films which have religious background backing. This film is more secular in tone but highlights American values, integrity, love and fidelity.
The film is adapted from a French story, Francois le Champi/ The Country Waif, by Georges Sand. This is rather unusual for an American film, borrowing from the French.
Francis is a young orphan, looked after by an African- American woman who fosters him, living in a trailer adjacent to a farm. The people at the farm are the Branton family, Breann Johnson as Maddie, wife and mother, Carl, her farmer husband, their son Johnny and Carl’s mother who lives with them. Carl is played by Luke Perry and his mother is played by Frances Fisher.
When Francis comes over the fence, Carl’s mother takes an immediate dislike, warning him off, advising his foster-mother to move on. However, Maddie has taken a great liking to Francis, inviting him over, advising his foster mother to ignore the threats from Carl’s mother. When the mother dies, Maddie persuades Carl to take him on for work on the farm. Carl is severe towards Francis but he works hard and has a happy life.
When he turns 18, there is an echo of the Joseph story from the book of Genesis, Vera (Joelle Carter), Carl’s girlfriend, propositions Francis, and when he refuses she denounces him, accusing him of an affair with Maddie.
The honourable Francis decides to move on, goes on the road, gets a good job at another farm, run by Bill Paxton, attracts the daughter of the farmer – but, when news comes of a car accident and Carl’s death, Francis decides to return to help. The rumours resurface and he returns to his new job, only to be persuaded by the young woman that he should return home and resolve all his problems.
Generally familiar material, except for the theme of the younger man and his love for the older woman, people’s reactions – but, after the marriage, as the adult Johnny’s voice-over says, people tend to forget and to accept reality.
1. An American story, a Texas story? Folksy story with? Middle America?
2. The title, the song?
3. Texas, the farms, homes, the countryside?
4. Based on French story, by Georges Sand, an American adaptation?
5. The portrait the Branton Family? Typical, Different? Carl and Maddie? Johnny? Carl’s mother? Life, work, tense relationships? Carl’s mother supporting him, his going out, the liaison Vera and its effect?
6. The appearance of Francis, his age, his saying he had no parents? Isabelle and foster care, work, ill? Maddie liking him at once? Carl’s mother and her
severity, the fact that he had no background, getting him out of the party after the little girl’s fall, blaming him?
7. Isabelle, African- American? Maddie and her help, Isabelle’s job, ill? Carl’s mother’s visit, pressurising Isabelle to leave? Maddie intervening, Isabelle coming home, dying?
8. Carl’s mother and her death? Taking on Francis, Carl’s hostility, giving him chores, letting him live in the trailer? The fostering fee? Francis and his happy life, time passing? Francis’ hard work, his life, Carl, the relationship with Vera, the propositioning of Francis, the malicious comments, the rumours, Maddie’s puzzle, Carl and his accusations against Maddie?
9. Francis, going, and the road, applying for the job, the interview with Jimmy, accepted? Paxton’s daughter and love? Francis and normal life?
10. The car accident, Carl’s death? Johnny welcoming Francis? Maddie in hospital, injuries? Francis and his being helpful, paying bills, Maddie upset, his work, the buildings, the continuing the rumours, his leadership for the family?
11. Going back to Jimmy, taking the truck back back, talking deeply? The discussions with Jimmy’s daughter, urging him to and resolve his issues?
12. Francis, shock, his return, his love for Maddie, Johnny and his acceptance, Johnny’s voice-over, the marriage, people forgetting – and happy ever after ending?
