Red -A Film Review-

Red is a great example of a 'Revenge Thriller'. Man is wronged, man seeks his own form of justice, man wreaks revenge.
The difference this time is a sweet and unexpectedly wise twist; the victim is the man's dog.
Switching the context from a husband or wife being killed to a treasured pet more keenly focuses the viewer onto the theme which makes films like these so compellingly watchable; the justice!
When transit refuses your valid transfer or your boss tells you to apologize to the asshole customer you feel denied.
This film will make you feel better. Here justice is served... unexpectedly...

THE POOP:
Trygve Allister Diesen and Lucky McKee direct a screenplay by Stephen Susco based on a novel by Jack Ketchum about a reclusive man who goes fishing with his best friend; a dog named Red. Circumstance sees his dog killed and Avery is left to pursue whatever legal channels are available. The law proves flaccid and Avery tries, in his old-fashioned, upstanding way to make things right through alternative proper channels, but, well, things don't go so well for poor Avery.
What he does is what I love about this film.

If you have ever loved a pet you'll appreciate this film, but if you've ever loved a person, or even just loved the idea of justice you'll love this film. The story and the acting by Cox are so understated and powerful that you become riveted, as I was, by the sense of 'what comes next', edge-of-your-seat enthrall that you're pulled into.
I was emotionally connected to this film from about ten minutes in and I was held by the throat by it until the end. Themes of loss, remorse, guilt, personal weakness and most importantly love and the belief in cosmic justice pervade this film and elevate it from seediness to must-see status.

One story in the film is told by a hunter who, mistakenly, forgets to engage the safety on his shotgun while hunting. His faithful dog by his side he trips over a bush and shoots his leg off. Close to blacking out he hears the dog bark and wakes up to see the dog walk a few feet away and bark again. Encouraged by the dog he pulls himself toward the dog and the animal barks again and moves a few feet further. Eventually the man says he credits the dog with giving him the where-with-all to drag himself a mile to salvation.
It's a beautiful story told well and by writers gifted in the art of storytelling. If you aren't moved by this moment then you're a wall.

Red is a beautiful, simple film told in a very straightforward manner. I have a lot of respect for the lack of complication with which the makers brought this film to us.
It's like, they respect us as thinking people and not just faceless audiences. It's true, full, honest.
It devastated me on a few levels.
Hey! See it to find out what devastates me!

No DVD details are currently available, and after it's early '08 release no show times are current, but keep Red on your radar for excellent films worth seeing.
Red (I repeat the title so somehow subliminally it'll hit you when you see it in the video store) is definitely worth your time. See it!

In the meantime I'll leave you with this; I don't have a dog, I have a cat. His name is Wally. If, while sitting casually in my living room someone walked up and shot him in the head I'd be devastated.
Were it not for Wally I can almost safely guarantee I wouldn't be alive today. Loneliness is a bitch of an affliction. I understand Avery 100 percent, and I think you will too.