Review of Red, White and Blue (1971) by Ed Fucking H — 29 Apr 2011

Jesus H Christ, I was definently not expecting that! This is probably the best new film I've seen in a long time. I'm hesitant to label this a horror film even though it does have those elements in it.

What this is is a visceral, disturbing, uncomfortable and unsettling film that is meticulously told. Ultimately there are no good or bad characters in this film. All characters display enough of both sides of the spectrum to both exert an emotional response from the audience and a repulsiveness with the way the three main characters behave throughout the film.

There are no easy answers here, and why should there be? Real life is messy and so is this film. The sex and violence are never overly graphic, but that isn't to say that they are tame either. It really is incredible how graphic it seems actually when very little is actually shown, really what good filmmaking is all about.

The plot unravels in a wholly unique way that is uncomparable to anything I've ever seen before, and keeps you with your jaw to the floor and at the edge of your seat from the begining to the end.

When the movie is done, it stays under your skin and is truly upsetting. I really can't recommend this movie enough. I havent seen any of director Simon Rumley's other films, but I'm going to have to check out some of his back catalog now.

If his earlier films are half as good as this they'll be much better than most, and I'll definently be looking forward to hatever he does next.