Red (2008)

Best movie ever!

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

"Red" (2008) is a terrific low budget art-house style indie thriller, not to be confused with the Bruce Willis film (2010) of the same name. Based on a story by Dave Ketchum, what might have been a typical revenge movie, is instead a slowly building intense drama of a man trying to get the teen perpetrators to accept responsibility for their intentional shooting of his dog and get a measure of justice and contrition. What follows is what has become too commonplace today. The parents are in denial and defend their children regardless of the accusation or the evidence. I am not suggesting that parents shouldn't love their children or support them emotionally. But they should hold them fully responsible and make them atone for their misdeeds. I am in my early 70's, but in my teens, if a neighbor or teacher complained about anything I did, I was almost certain to be admonished and punished. I am amazed at how many parents today are ready to challenge the schools or teachers if their kids are wearing inappropriate clothing or misbehaving in class. This film is a good example of that kind of parental behavior. Robert Englund and Tom Sizemore typify such parents in their brief but impressive roles. Brian Cox gives a bravura performance, trying to resist seeking revenge, but is repeatedly thwarted until he finally succumbs somewhat to the frustration, which he later regrets. While I won't divulge the ending, it is not at all formulaic, and is tragically what could result, as outcomes are rarely exactly what was expected. The film covers the same theme as the award winning Danish Film "In A Better World" (2010), that is, the line between justice and revenge. Both are outstanding, but approach the subject from very different perspectives. I give this a 9+.

Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox) is accosted by three teenagers who attempt to rob him and then, cruelly and with no reason, shoot dead his dog Red, the only living link he has to his departed wife. With a burning intensity, he seeks redress from the boys that killed his dog - all he really wants is for them to admit what they did and apologise for it - but he is constantly stymied in his attempts at justice by not only the boys' uncaring father (Tom Sizemore) but also a justice system that considers animals no more than property. With reporter Carrie (Kim Dickens) helping to get his story out into the public, Avery's quest for justice starts to spiral out of control as we see his dogged determination - deeply seated in an horrific event from his past, revealed in a scene of masterfully understated acting on Cox' part - start to spiral out of control. A simple story of a man's search for justice and how one event can twist the lives of many until only tragedy can stop the landslide. 4.5/5

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!!! :(

I can't think of any flaws with this film. I went into this not knowing what to expect, only reading the slight synopsis on the rental. This film, in its early reviews, fell under the "revenge" category, but that is not what this is about in any way. There is no revenge here. Avery Ludlow, played by Brian Cox, is a man who is kind, generous and well respected in his community, a small town. Several teenagers commit an act that hurts him and he wants only admission and an apology. But the guilty are children of a rich man who won't let his reputation be hurt and who has connections and uses them so that Avery cannot put to rest the act that occurred (I am not going to say what it is, not really a spoiler since it is in the synopsis everywhere but in case this is all you read, you won't know then).There simply is no revenge in Ludlow's heart, but things get worse as he just tries to deal with what happened here, after losing his family several years prior to this. I won't go anymore into the story, but I will say that this is a great film, about morals, honor, and those with money who try to get away with anything. Beautifully acted, I always felt this was a totally realistic situation, the characters were very real to me and situations like this could very easily occur, and most probably do. I highly recommend this movie. I think it is an important film in many respects, and rarely is a story told these days where the victim doesn't seek cold revenge but just admission. As you find out about Ludlow's life, you will certainly be in sympathy for him, which only adds to the awful things that happen here. Don't miss this one!