After the rather poor showing in his last film 'Cop Out', I was understandably a bit nervous about Kevin Smiths latest 'Red State'. Like 'Cop Out' it was a departure from the usual sort of thing Smith does, and the last time that happened was the much derided (but actually quite sweet I thought) 'Jersey Girl'.
Red State is a departure not just from the 'View Askewniverse' and comedy/drama but from anything Smith has ever done before. It's a very serious film about a very serious subject (not to say there isn't the odd amusing moment in it) and Smith handles it with aplomb.
Answering an online invitation for sex, three teenage boys found themselves kidnapped by religious fundamentalists that have nasty plans for them. Or as Smith himself put it "Three teenage boys go looking for sex, but find God".
So far, so horror film right? Wrong. Most of the criticisms I have seen for Red State is from people expecting a balls out horror movie, and that just isn't Red State. Sure, it's horrific enough with the subject matter and there are a few quite unpleasant scenes, but nothing you'd classify as horror. It's plenty disturbing, mainly because this could quite easily happen in real life.
What also enhances the film is it's low budget. Apparently it's Smiths lowest budget since Chasing Amy, and the film really benefits with the glossiness that most other filmmakers would give it (and they'd turn it into a horror film, also.)
Smith has assembled a fantastic cast too, Michael Parks being the standout as the utterly bonkers preacher Abin Cooper. Parks puts his all into the performance, and is genuinely creepy throughout, almost believable at times. Similarly, and sadly not with as much screen time is Melissa Leo as Sara, one of Coopers flock.
A relative latecomer in the film is John Goodman as the ATF agent tasked with taking down the fundamentalists. While he never really gives a substandard performance, this is probably one of the best roles he's had in years. And Stephen Root is fantastic in a small role as the Sheriff of the town, who is guarding a secret of his own.
There's also a lot of other great actors in small roles. Viewers of Breaking Bad and Mad Men will recognise a face or two throughout. But that is where the only problem with the film lies. All this talent, and they don't have enough screen time (with the exception of Parks and Goodman). I just wish it was 10 or 15 minutes longer so we could spend more time with these characters. Especially Stephen Root, whose character almost felt relegated when Goodmans showed up.
But it's a minor quibble in a great film. And while I wouldn't have minded that extra time, the film doesn't outstay it's welcome, which is always a good thing and possesses more shocking moments than a horror movie version of this ever could.
After this, Smith is doing a project close to his heart - hockey movie 'Hit Somebody', and then rumours have it that he is leaving directing to concentrate on his ever expanding podcast network. I sincerely hope that this isn't the case, because Red State proves that Smith is capable of doing more than Jay and Silent Bob, and 'Cop Out' was a misstep (Hell, even I questioned his flare of a director during my review of that). Worth checking out whether you're a Smith fan or not.
****
If you don't go in expecting a horror, you'll come out with a lot more than if you did. Just a shame some of the cast only get small roles, you want to see more of them!
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