Review of Red State (2011) by Breeyon B — 13 Oct 2012

Knowing very little about it before watching the movie, I was quite surprised seeing the director credit at the end. Kevin Smith? Having seen all his movies, never expected him to be part of anything like this which deals with politics, religion, social tolerance and violence. More than presenting a movie, it felt like it is trying to make a statement.

Abin Cooper (Michael Parks) is the Father of a communal church that opposes pre/extra marital sex, homosexuals and openly preaches and practices violence against such activities. He has a devoted set of believers and followers mostly comprising his family who follows him blindly and would resort to any activity upon his command. This includes his daughter Sara (Melissa Leo) and grand daughter Cheyenne (Kerry Bishé). When his followers abduct three teenagers accusing them of being homosexuals, Abin Cooper orders their execution in a ritualistic style inside the church premises clandestinely. When one of them tries to escape, things go wrong quickly alerting a state task force looking for an opportunity to pin this community.

Kevin Smith ventures outside his comfort zone who made innovative modern day comedies like the Clerks, Chasing Amy, Dogma etc who always tend to create movies inside his own little universe. Seeing the idealism, brutality of violence and the darkness of the movie left me shocked coming from this man. What is going on? Anyways, it is not a perfect movie and shows a lot of anger in writing. Kerry Bishé looked hot and also does enough to root for her character. Michael Parks and Melissa Leo look like characters taken straight out from a comic book villain and sidekick. Kevin Smith's movies were never meant for kids but this one is definitely not for different reasons.

Too serious and biased for a Kevin Smith movie.