Red (2008)

Lucky Mckee's Red is Brian Cox's shining, monumental, jewel performance of a lifetime. The excellent UK man has constantly wowed us in endless supporting roles (X Men 2, Troy, Manhunter, to name a few). Here he gets to sink his teeth into a well written lead role, and he is a revelation. He plays Avery Ludlow, a quiet old gentleman who minds his own business and is content to live out his years in a small town, with only the company of his old mutt, Red. When a trio of young rich punks, (led by Neol Fischer in a performance of sociopathic savagery), heartlessly shoot his old dog for no other reason than their own amusement, something snaps in Avery. The heartbreaking tragedy in his family history (delivered to us in a monologue by Cox that will bring your knees to the floor before the tears get there, and is his best work I've ever seen) is suddenly pushed to the forefront of his mind, and he seeks retribution. After burying Red, he figures out where the bullet came from, tracks down the punks, two of which are from an affluent family, and begs for them to admit what they did, and apologize to him. Things take a difficult turn when not only is the lead punk completely belligerent and unwilling to atone, but his scumbag prick father (Tom Sizemore coated in his usual hopped up, camouflage jacket of sleaze), is just as much uncooperative as his kid. This leaves Avery to raise the stakes, and find other ways to get the resolution he deserves. He uses the killing of his dog as an outlet for the rage, sadness and anger that he has clearly suppressed for much of his life, finding some peace within himself by pursuing truth and in a way, eventually revenge. It's not a revenge themed film though. All he sets out to do is get an apology and make sure they get disciplined. But things get way, way out of control in a blistering final confrontation. Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund, and Amanda Plummer have great white trash cameos, and Kim Dickens is lovely as a sympathetic reporter who befriends, and in a way falls in love Avery. Animal lovers be warned: the scene where Red dies packs such a punch you will feel sick. I cried. But don't let that deject you from checking out this wonderful, unique film that takes a pulpy premise that could have descended into Death Wish style mayhem, and gives it a tender, complex, human approach that really makes it something special.

The previews and descriptions of Red, tell you very little about the story, and what it does show you is something that makes you wonder, how in the world can they make a whole movie out of this!? I gave it a shot, because it based on a book by Jack Ketchum, the writer who has given us the novels and eventually the films, The Lost, Offspring, The Girl Next Door, & The Women. I really enjoy Ketchum's style, I gave this movie a shot, and it really surprised me. The story is a simple one about a simple man, Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox), who is out fishing with his old dog Red. Quickly the serenity is destroyed by three rich kids looking to have some fun. In the process of robbing Ludlow, one of the boys shoots and kills Red. As it would turn out, there's a lot more to Avery Ludlow than meets the eye and there is a wild story about Red, where he came from, and what he means to Ludlow, who spends the rest of the film trying to get justice for his pet, from a town that really doesn't care a whole lot. Brian Cox is the star and lets face it, he's been in everything, and by this point we've all seen him in something and know how great he is. Out of all of Cox's roles though, this is one that really stood out to me, because he is beyond terrific and a perfect fit for the character of Avery Ludlow. Cox is paired with a few up and coming teen stars and their rich father played by Tom Sizemore. Together, they are the complete opposite of Ludlow, both in status and in personality, bringing the film full circle. Based on the description, Red seems like it's going to be a long and boring tale, but as always Jack Ketcum throws in some terrific plot twists, and the story goes to a place you'd never expect it to go.

I thought I was going to see another film of the same title. To tell you the truth I wish I had. The acting was unconvincing and awkward at times. Where as Gran Torino was fresh and riveting, I found this film boring and cumbersome.I don't gamble much but I was 100% sure the bad kid's father would live and at least one of his sons would die, at least the son who expressed he had a conscience for sure would die. I would have liked it better if the mom had gotten shot as she tried to diffuse the situation. Anything but the overly predictable outcome.I understand they had some problems in production hiring/ firing and it shows. The scene where the dog (imaginary or real who cares)comes to him when he was dying was pathetic.This was more of a Lifetime project with a little more violence and cursing. I can see why it didn't do so well and cannot (or don't want to) see how this film got a 7/10 rating. I'm not a hater and I feel the 4 I gave it was generous and only because I love dogs as well.

I was going along with this movie fine enough for awhile but when it gets to the point that old Avery gives this insane back story about his 2 sons... it completely fell apart. For one thing, why would someone tell the reporter he has two sons, not he HAD two sons who luridly left this planet? Second, why would this guy idiotically keep pushing, involving the innocent brother of the psychopathic kid (and father) with his own experience to show him how little it might take to endanger that boy's life? It makes no sense at all unless he's as sick as the bad guys! And then the fact that it winds up with him learning his lesson, "Two boys are dead. I couldn't let it go!" Yeah and you knew full well before just as you do now that this is what probably could happen!!! Blah... This story was just bull... At least Angela Bettis wasn't involved, but she's in the next one... Sad to see someone so righteous and talented having to take this kind of work!!! :(