Film:  Red 71

Director:  Patrick Roddy

Producers: Brian McLaughlin, Patrick Roddy, Victoria Westover

Principal Actors:  Nathan Ginn, Michelle Belegrin, Ted Parks, Josh Marcantel, Angus Scrimm

Film length: 1hr 14 minutes.

3 Stars

Reviewer:  Emily Axelson

I went into this film with high hopes due to the brilliance of Patrick Roddy's previous film, Mercy. Roddy did not let me down in the least, and Red 71 was well done and engaging enough, and though it was not as outstanding as Mercy, I was still pleased as a viewer.

Lorain is the envy of three men; Charlie her husband, Shane, and Del. Shane's jealousy is more silent and guarded, while Del's is completely out in the open, and even threatens to hurt Charlie at one point. When Charlie is shot with another lady in the room, the police immediately suspect her. But upon closer inspection, Del could be just as guilty. The woman's story is messy and unbelievable; that she was asleep and simply woke up at the sound of the gunfire to find a man with a pig's face mask standing over Charlie. Just when the case seems to be all figured out, Del is also killed. Now any of the characters could be responsible for Charlie and Del's death. Is it Lorain? The envy of both victims, Shane? The man enraged with jealousy? Or could it be one of the minor characters? The photographer, or the waitress who could have a secret connection to one of the men? And to solve the last mystery of the film, who is this mysterious monster or pig faced man the woman raved about?

Red 71 was a decent film, and the mystery factor kept it engaging enough to enjoy. The acting really added to the film. All the characters were seemingly very cold and unfeeling, adding to the mystery and guess work as to who killed the men. The best actor was by far Nathan Ginn, portraying Shane. He managed the emotions of jealousy, and silence fantastically well, and he had an expressionless mystery he brought to the character.

The storyline was decent, but without Roddy's dark and disturbing direction to it, the film could quite easily have come off as dull. Red 71 was confusing and puzzling at the start, however it all came together in the end. Yes, it shocked the viewer when it did all come together near the end, but I think if it had been a bit clearer in the beginning it would have kept me more interested; Red 71 was promising nonetheless.

I thought the use of lighting and shadows was extremely effective. It added a sinister, unexplained feel to the film and definitely added much suspense. The direction was what really made the film. The gloomy and unfeeling ambience of it is what kept the viewer so fascinated in the story and made them consider all the possible killers. Patrick Roddy's films have consistently impressed me, and although Red 71 didn't quite measure up to his previous films, I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.