Review of Red Road (2006) by Walter M — 30 Apr 2007

[font=Century Gothic]In "Red Road", Jackie(Kate Dickie) works as a monitor for the cameras that keep a watchful eye on Glasgow, ensconced in a sterile electronic womb. Outside of work, she lives a solitary existence, her only social interaction being quickies with a coworker.(She is also estranged from her in-laws.) One day, she is shocked to observe Clyde Henderson(Tony Curran) walking around free, even though she thought he was still in prison. Of course, that could change if he gets in trouble with the police again...[/font].

[font=Century Gothic]"Red Road" is a very compelling and multi-layered mystery that owes more to Egoyan than Hitchcock with clues scattered throughout but I was troubled by the climax.(In a way I think I was supposed to be.) In this day and age of the National Paranoia State, cameras are being proposed for every street corner. And it is very interesting to see how the system might work and how it could possibly break down if the human element falters. Even at its best, one can only know half the story when viewing from a distance. It is up close that the other half becomes clear, completing the full picture. [/font].