Review - Red

No not the old people blowing shit up film but the understated Brian Cox film.

Red tells the story of Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox) a widowed, older gent whose best friend is a dog named Red, now before you say awwww...this ain't Marley & Me but however if you add a big boxful of anger to the sadness, then you are getting closer to the mark.
 

When some local a-hole teens discover Avery fishing, they go to rob him only Avery doesn't have any money, so the teens do what any teen carrying a shotgun would do...blow Avery's dog - Red - head off. This sets off a chain of events, that changes lives.

Avery just wants some justice and accountability for actions and he won't give up till he gets it.

A very slow burning thriller, Red plays with conventions of right and wrong and when the cost of justice is blood, is it worth it? Does revenge include an eye for an eye or does revenge require you to go beyond what was done to you to gain satisfaction and in the end what does this retribution serve?
 

Whilst it plays with right and wrong, you can't help but hate at least one of the teens because he is such a raging D-bag and is so unlikable and has no redeeming qualities, that you can't wait for him to cop some punishment. (If only all people that killed animals could get this treatment.)
 

Brian Cox is once again very good, the three teenagers and especially the two brothers all play their parts very well, with Shiloh Fernandez being a standout.
 

A very good but ultimately sad film that asks a lot of questions of the audience which adds to the films appeal.