Red Right Hand

I guess acting is called acting for a reason but when Brits and Australians are acting as rednecks thugs it's almost laughable. The script is completely over the top and unbelievable and unfortunately the 2 hours you waste on this movie will never be returned to you. For the love of god is it too much to ask for an original story from Hollywood rather than the same old stories being regurgitated? I realize that the IQ level of the target audience for this movie is not very high blood lately the U. S. movie makers have been churning out nothing but diarrhea in terms of storytelling as well as acting.

Red Right Hand is a suspense/crime/thriller which takes place in rural Kentucky and focuses on the decay of the rural American family due to an inability to scrape a decent living. The most ironic name goes to the main character, Cash (played by Orlando Bloom with a strong performance and a better Southern accent than I could hope to conjure) and his brother Wilder (Garret Dillahunt). Without deviating from the well tread formula that films like this normally take, it adds a few twists now and then.

First, there is the strong performance by the antagonist Big Cat (played by Andie MacDowell (who usually plays in comedies but nonetheless proves her mettle here in a villainous role). She quickly shows that she means business, and yet there is an unspecified history between Big Cat and Cash.

Another strong role is the daughter (played by newcomer Chapel Oaks) who convincingly shows her wisdom beyond that of the two men raising her throughout the film. She gives a strong sense of female independence and like nearly everyone in the film, knows a thing or two about guns.

Speaking of guns, Obama famously complained that rural America clung to its bibles and guns. That's true here too but I would add two more to the list (at least according to this movie): big rigs and farm animals.

Overall, it's an enjoyable story but not one you haven't seen before with a few exceptions.

7/10.

Starring Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Carribean) and Andie MacDowell (once such a beautiful and fine actress). With these 2 renowned names I was really curious if this movie could be worth a watch.

The bad: these 2 actors have had their finest days way behind them. Orlando Bloom doesnt impress at all as a red neck character. He even comes across a bit silly with his FAKE southern accent which doesnt suit him at all.

Andie MacDowell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) and lots of similar romantic comedies, was such a lovely fine actress back in the nineties. Unfortunately her once so pretty face looks like it was misfigured by a third degree burn accident now and while that misfugered face does suit her character, which is a vicious b8*!h, she still does look quite silly and laughable, which is the opposite effect that was desired. The other supporting actors are really only ever seen in terrible B-movies.

The worst thing about this cheaply produced B-movie is that it tries to take itself seriously, because it wants to be a hardhitting serious drama/thriller and it fails at achieving that completely.

To be avoided, especially for the fans of Orlando Bloom and Andie MacDowell. Such a shame that these 2 once wonderful actors lower themselves to these kind of B-movies...

RED RIGHT HAND is a film I rather enjoyed, unlike a lot of reviewers here. Its a very small scale, low budget feel kind of movie, set in one of those rural towns in the American Midwest where an unlikely kingpin holds sway over the population. Andie McDowell, who I've never rated as an actress, does a fair approximation of evil in this against-type role, while Orlando Bloom also goes against type as the redneck hero unwittingly drawn back into her criminal schemes. Dillahunt has a fine supporting role as the town's preacher. The plot's familiar but the action is well handled and the film is admirably gritty. The final shoot-out in particular impresses.

Greetings again from the darkness. Regardless of how attractive the real estate prices seem, it's usually best to avoid small rural towns controlled by a violent crime boss nicknamed Big Cat. Especially when she doesn't hesitate to make an example of those who cross her, and she 'owns' the local Sheriff and runs drugs throughout the area. Even those who break away from her organization are likely to get dragged back in, 'do this or else' style, if Big Cat wants them back. It's a self-perpetuating cesspool of control and being controlled.

The SMALL TOWN CRIME (2018) directing team of brothers Eshom Nelms and Ian Nelms re-team to direct this surprisingly engaging backwoods crime thriller, with a screenplay from Jonathan Easley (his first). What's surprising about this is most movies of this genre are pretty simple and easy to predict. In this one, there are certainly some familiar tropes, but the depth of characters and the against-type performance by Orlando Bloom make this one quite a bit of fun. Also going against-type here is Andie MacDowell as Big Cat. It's her darkest role yet, and she seems to embrace the evil.

Mr. Bloom stars as Cash, a greasy, tatted, ripped dude with a Kentucky accent who is diligently working to keep his life on a good path. His past includes a beloved sister who passed away, severe alcoholism, and a life of crime while working as Big Cat's henchman. His life motto is "God-Family-Survival", and he's dedicated to his struggling brother-in-law, Finney (Scott Haze) and whip smart ninth grade niece, Savannah (newcomer Chapel Oaks). When Cash discovers that Finney has mortgaged the family farm to Big Cat, he quickly realizes he must cut a deal with his former boss to save what's left of his family. As Michael Corleone says, "they pull me back in." Big Cat values Cash's cool head under pressure - especially as compared to her other redneck lackeys. Her one misjudgment is in underestimating Cash after she has attacked his family. This leads to a blaze of violence and one crazy shootout on the grounds of Big Cat's estate. Supporting work is provided here by the always excellent Garrett Dillahunt (here as a rehabilitated preacher), Brian Geraghty as the Sheriff, Mo McRae as the good-intentioned Deputy, and Daniel David Stewart as Big Cat's ponytailed corrupt banker son. Johnny Derango adds some quality cinematography to this surprisingly intricate and well-developed crime thriller.

Magnolia Pictures will release the film in theaters and on VOD February 23, 2024.