Red Rock West
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Movie Reviews of Red Rock West
Movie Review: A twisted tale of murder, money and a mistaken identity
Summary: 5 Stars
John Dahl's "Red Rock West" has so many twists and turns in its plot that to reveal them all would do the film injustice. Michael (Nicholas Cage) arrives in Wyoming with a promised job that doesn't pan out. Without money and low on gas, he heads into the town of Red Rock West. When Michael walks into a bar and is asked by the owner Wayne (the oily and late great J. T. Walsh)if he's there about the job, Michael does what anyone would do--he says yes. What he doesn't realize is that Wayne has mistaken him for a hitman he's hired sight unseen to kill his wife Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle). Michael takes the $10,000, a key and heads up to Wayne's house. We're not really sure of his intentions all we do know is that he seemed like such a nice guy. When the real hit man Lyle (Dennis Hopper)shows up, things become more complicated as Michael has his money and Wayne's wife.
A clever, well written and directed film noir thriller from John Dahl ("The Last Seduction", "Joy Ride"), "Red Rock West" became a cult classic on video when it was first released. The film also has enough quirks to remind me of the same qualities that made the Cohen Brothers' "Blood Simple" and David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" memorable as well. This film isn't like those films but has a distinctive personality and visits the same genre with typically comic/dramatic results.
Although I didn't totally buy Cage as Michael, he does work his way into the role and does a convincing job. The supporting cast gives a terrific performance particularly J. T. Walsh, the underrated Timothy Carhart as his deputy and Lara Flynn Boyle. Dennis Hopper does a variation on "Frank" from Blue Velvet although his turn as Lyle is equally memorable I'm surprised he didn't spring for the role he was originally cast for that of Wayne (which Walsh plays to perfection).
The image quality on the DVD is exceptionally good and the extras consist of a running commentary from both Director Dahl and his brother co-producer/co-writer Rick. It's full of fascinating tibits about the difficulty in shooting a film like this on location. It's a pity there's no commentary from Cage, Hopper or Boyle. We also get the theatrical trailer although, curiously, there's no featurette on the making of this terrific cult classic. I would love to see this reissued with a featurette on Walsh and with deleted/alternate scenes. A great little modern noir masterpiece that's well worth renting or buying, "Red Rock West" stands as one of Dahl's best films.
Movie Review: A movie movie...
Summary: 5 Stars
Do yourself a favour and try this one. It was a nice surprise to me. It's my understanding that this was originally a movie done for HBO or one of the other cable giants, but it has the feel of a movie I would have seen years ago at an art-house theater.
Nicholas Cage - and I'm not much of a fan - drives his landliner of a Caddy out to an oil rig in the remote American West on the promise of a job by a buddy already working there. The rig boss turns him down upon learning of Cage's character's bum leg, the result of a military injury. Left high and dry, Cage's character, Michael, cruises into Red Rock on fumes, willing to do almost anything for work. He inadvertently accepts a job, the nature of which is vague, and is horrified to discover that he is expected to bump off a cheating wife.
It's important to note here that Red Rock, a blip on the map, is essentially run by the sheriff of the town, in true Old West fashion. Saying too much here would ruin some of the excellent twists, but suffice it to say that Michael becomes the unwitting lynchpin that ties together all the nasty elements - a basically good guy caught between a bunch of slimeballs.
There are a number of neat bits - Michael drives in and out of town past the city-limits sign so many times I kept looking for the population notation on the sign to change - and some priceless roles. Dennis Hopper saved "Waterworld" from a totally watery grave; if this movie was bad, he would have done the same thing, but he just adds to this one, at his maniac best and clearly enjoying every minute. Lara Flynn Boyle, as the femme fatale, ceased having much effect on my regard after Twin Peaks; she does OK here, but I did question Michael's continued involvement with her when she is such obvious bad news. J.T. Walsh plays pretty much his regular bad-guy role. The real treat for me is quite minor - a cameo by Dwight Yoakam that makes me smile every time I see it. (He also sings the theme at the end.) One scene at a bar, where Michael is trying to escape from a hit man, has me on the edge even though I know what's going to happen.
For a movie that nobody seems to have heard of, it has a lot going on. And at the end, everybody has gotten just what they deserve. It is certainly worth a couple hours of any movie maven's day.
Movie Review: Twists, twists, and more twists.
Summary: 5 Stars
Nicolas Cage stars as Michael,an unemployed Texas roughneck desperate enough to drive all the way to Wyoming for a potential job. He is honest to a fault but always seems to be on the dark side of fate.After failing to obtain gainful employment he stumbles into the Red Rock Bar, where the owner Wayne (J.T.Walsh), mistakes him for a heretofor unseen contract killer he hired to do in his lovely, but lethal wife Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle).
Wayne gives Michael the necessary details and a down payment for the hit on the adulterous Suzie. With no intent on killing, Michael takes the money and warns Suzanne about her impending demise. He also writes a letter to the local sheriff exposing the plot and splits town.
As fate would dictate, Michael is involved in an accident in which he runs down Suzannes lover during a heavy rainstorm. He takes him to the hospital where it's discovered that he's also been shot. The sheriff is summoned and of course to Michaels misfortune, Wayne is also the local law. Michael escapes while being taken on that last ride and is subsequently picked up by the real killer,"Lyle From Dallas" (Dennis Hopper) who plays the role with murderous glee.
After discovering that both he and Michael are former marines, Lyle insists on buying him a drink at, where else, The Red Rock Bar. It is there that Wayne realizes his mistake and soon he and Lyle are in hot pursuit of Michael who willingly falls into Suzannes waiting arms.
The duo are now both on the run and as the plot develops we learn that Wayne and Suzanne are actually also on the lam with 1.9 million stolen dollars which now becomes the central focus of the film.
The casting in this movie is excellent, with the actors blending well with their assigned roles, especially Dennis Hopper.
Marc Reshovsky's photography was superb, utilizing many unique angles which added to the suspense and plot development. The fim's also enhanced by director John Dahl's tight style and Scott Chestnuts rapidfire editing.
Movie Review: Unknown gem here!
Summary: 5 Stars
In Red Rock West, Nicholas Cage plays a down-on-his luck drifter who comes to town looking for a job. Getting a tip from a man in a gas station, he heads to a town called Red Rock into a small bar, where the owner inadvertently gives him a job as a hit man who is supposed to kill his wife. Before Michael (Cage) can say no to the man, he is handed a wad of money and instructions on how to kill the bar owner's wife.
What makes this unknown thriller such a great movie is the feeling of mystery it projects. Like many other reviewers said, this film feels like a noir mystery in a western setting. Just when you think you have a piece of the plot figured out in your head, there is another twist. Cage's character plays the only truly noble character, as all characters have motives and hidden secrets that keep you guessing.
This film didn't get much publicity when it was released, and I just happened to catch this title on the shelf of the video store years later. I remembered liking it before, so I had to watch again. It was even better the second time. Another great thing about this film is that there is a smart angle in presenting the mystery. There isn't an overdone or ludicrous plot, or any cheesy lines from the actors. It is an intelligent, low-budget film. How about that!
Definitely a must see for those who love a good, edge of your seat suspense!
Movie Review: A Fun Noir Which Leaves You Shaking Your Head In Disbelief!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent modern-day film noir...."excellent" in that it's interesting, start-to-finish. There are some holes in here and some goofy parts that make you shake your head in disbelief.....but I haven't found anyone who didn't get caught up in this story. and enjoy the movie.
The film has the right amount of action, suspense, plot twists and interesting characters. In addition, it sports some nice colors and cinematography plus a good guitar-based soundtrack.
I labeled this crime movie a "film noir" because it's gritty and the all the characters are no good. Even the only supposed-good guy, played by Nicholas Cage, gets himself in trouble by lying and has a quick affair he should't have. He also does something at the end which isn't right, but I'm not going the spoil it by saying. Suffice to say, however, that the rest of the characters are so bad they make Cage look good!
Speaking of "bad guys," does anyone do it better than Dennis Hopper? At least in the "deranged" category, he's tough to beat. Lara Flynn Boyle is fun to watch for a bunch of reasons. J.T. Walsh gives another great supporting performance, too.
This is one of those films that never got much publicity, but it should have. You'll have fun watching this. By the way, try saying the name of this movie out loud three times fast without messing it up!