Four out of
Five stars
Running time:
102 mins
Stylishly directed and superbly written, this is a provocative, powerfully emotional drama-slash-revenge-horror with terrific performances from Noah Taylor, Amanda Fuller and Marc Senter, though the horrific violence in the final act may prove too much for some.
What's it all about?
Directed by British filmmaker Simon Rumley, Red White & Blue is set in present-day Austin, Texas and stars Amanda Fuller as Erica, a damaged young woman who spends her nights trawling bars for anonymous (and unprotected) sex. When she meets quietly intense Iraq war veteran Nate (Noah Taylor), he offers her a job in the hardware store where he works and the pair begin a tentative friendship.
Meanwhile, rock musician Franki (Marc Senter), one of Erica's previous conquests, receives some devastating news that sets him on a violent revenge course. And when Nate discovers what's happened, things get much, much nastier.
The Good
Noah Taylor is terrific, delivering a complex, multi-layered performance as the heavily bearded Nate and his relationship with Erica is genuinely touching as both characters gradually acknowledge the connection between them. Similarly, Amanda Fuller is extremely impressive as Erica and there's strong support from Marc Senter, with all three leads managing to engage and maintain our sympathies even while they're indulging in decidedly unsympathetic behaviour.
Rumley's stylish direction is extremely assured throughout and the gradual descent into horror territory is well handled, making the violence and gore all the more disturbing for the powerfully emotional drama that's preceded it. To that end, the script's three act structure (hinted at by the title and corresponding to the three central characters) works brilliantly, while it's impressive just how much of the film is conveyed with only minimal dialogue.
The Great
The film is also strikingly shot, courtesy of cinematographer Milton Karn and there's a superbly atmospheric score from Richard Chester. In addition, Rumley orchestrates some horrifically powerful scenes that will stay with you long after you leave the cinema; you'll never look at a chisel the same way again, for example.
Worth seeing?
Red White & Blue is a stylishly directed, powerfully emotional and ultimately devastating drama-slash-horror that marks British director Simon Rumley out as a talent to watch. Highly recommended, providing you can stomach the horrific violence.