Synopsis:
Having been promised a foursome with an older woman met on a adult website, three horny teenagers are tricked into the captivity of the extremist Christian's of the 5-Point Church. There they are forced to watch cruel executions whilst the Sheriff of the town, in fear of his homosexual tendencies being brought to the light of his family, gets in contact with the ATF.
This is certainly a
huge sideways step for Kevin Smith. You'd think after a plethora of
average, half witty, half exhaustingly childish efforts, that
director Kevin Smith probably isn't capable of making a film as good
as Red State. That's not to say I don't like some his previous
efforts. Clerks I hold as one of the best films ever made and
despite it's over-use of the word 'Fuck' and drug related jokes, Jay
and Silent Bob Strikes Back has a special place in my heart
(although only because I was what, 13/14 at the time of watching it,
of course sex jokes and swearing is going to be funny). But since
then his ability as a director has kind of fizzled away so it was
nice see him bring his writing talents back up to scratch, matching
the wit, timing and believability that we saw in the likes of Dogma
(if we try and forget about the poo demon for a minute) and Clerks.
I'm not going to say
Red State is anything like these two films, but it carries a
maturity we haven't seen from Smith in a while. What I like about him
is that he's never been afraid to tackle religion, and where I don't
know what his particular beliefs are it's nice to see that although
he parodies and creates his own version, he doesn't do so with malice
or pretentious atheist mocking as some might expect. He just tells
the story, if anything giving both sides of belief a fair say. In Red
State his centre of focus is that of a mad group of extremist
“Christians” who would make the congregation of Westboro Baptist
Chuch look like LGBT rights activists.
Although I wouldn't
really class this as a horror film, Smith has created an environment
here which positively radiates hell itself and is, in a good way,
uncomfortable to watch. It isn't horror in a classic sense, or even
particularly in a gruesome exploitive sense, just in pure atmosphere.
There's something about the congregation of the 5-Points Church that
cuts deep into your soul and rattles you at your very core. These men
and women have been so blinded by faith that they become almost like
robots. They are cold, following the instructions given by their
vicious and deluded pastor, Abin Cooper, without hesitation. They're
somewhat unstoppable, driven by faith alone, their belief their
deadliest weapon. They're almost damn near possessed, and although
they claim to be worshippers of God it's so painfully clear that they
are being led by the devil that we as an audience feel as trapped and
helpless as the churches victims.
John Goodman shines in
this film as Agent Joseph Keenan. I don't know what it is, something
about his voice maybe. That makes you want to root for him. I demand
more Goodman! He's like the perfectly normal polar opposite of the
5-Pointers. Unfortunately his presence would introduce a fire fight
between the 5-Point Church and the ATF. Arguably this is the least
entertaining part of the film and it just seems to drag, bringing the
film to a bit of a lull. I didn't really see the need for it, it
would have played out better if they'd have taken a more
psychological approach, especially given the undercurrent of
influence and delusion that carries the film.
Clearly the biggest
props acting-wise goes to Michael Parks. What a performance. As Abin
Cooper it was up to him to be the very back bone of the evil on
display and he plays his role so chillingly well that you'd almost
believe that he wasn't acting at all and this was all real. His
presence is paralleled by none. His preaching, his sermon, as well as
every other twisted moment of influence is right on the money. I know
for a fact that no matter what he says, he wouldn't be able to change
my mind to his way of thinking, but his voice and delivery are so
hauntingly smooth and charismatic that you can't help but listen,
enchanted by his words and authority. I you're weak minded I don't
advise watching this film, he'll probably convert you.
Overview:
The best thing Smith
has made in years. Disappointing that it resorts to turning quite an
interesting concept into a fight between the government and a bunch
of crazy gun-toting hicks but the earlier (fairly evil) charm of the
film, present in the first half, is still felt and leaves a heavy
impact on the viewer.
Rating:
★★★★
No comments:
Post a Comment