Red Right Hand

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.

Red Right Hand (2024) is a gritty, violent, somewhat depressing film with enough understated woke elements to distract and leave audiences wondering how much better it could have been.

The film seems almost schizophrenic in attempting realism in a genre that naturally gravitates toward right wing elements. Two graphic scenes depict brutal interrogations, but conducted by the villains. The chief villain is played by a woman with an army of male henchmen and a kinky boytoy. The one good cop on a corrupt force is a black guy. There is a lot of storm-trooper style gunplay and other violence, but much of it is off-camera. A scene involving violence toward a female is handled so obliquely as to leave the audience wondering what, if anything, happened. A young girl is taught to use a rifle and a knife, but the hero often finds himself without a gun or without bullets.

Orlando Bloom is excellent playing a backwoodsman with a lot of conflicts. He delivers a highly credible, nuanced performance. Garret Dillahunt also delivers a very credible performance as the preacher/sidekick. Andie MacDowell plays the antagonist in an over-the-top two-dimensional comic-book mode. None of the male characters seem to have any current romantic partners, although one spends a lot of time pining over his dead wife. What passes as the B-story love angle is the platonic relationship between Cash (Bloom) and his niece, which occupies a lot of screen time without managing to be particularly interesting.

Production values are adequate. Scenery and costumes seem authentic. Overall, the movie is watchable, but not truly satisfying. It's too timid for action fans, but perhaps too gritty for drama fans. The lack of any romantic angles leaves the characters seeming incomplete.

It is one thing to have a very good cast of stars (Bloom, McDowel,Dillahunt) to attracts viewers to your movie. It is another challenge to have a sensible, workable and engaging script that the viewer can follow with intent and delight. It is yet another aspect to have a production, directing and editing crew that ensures an engaging element to the viewing experience

Sadly, in this case, only the first aspect is present - great cast, thus the question : "Oh, Orlando... WHY!" It is heartbreaking to see such talent wasted on this triviality only for the crew to say "we had Mr Bloom in our movie!". Shame on you

It was with painful admission that I could not continue my viewing past the hour mark. It was that unhinged, uninteresting and quite simply BORING. With better directing (and editing) this movie could well have been a great 7.5. It is not about the story (we have seen this too many times) but the senselessness of wasted screen time where just nothing happens.... or the opposite to what humans normally do to be of assistance to family

As for that... if you want Mr Dillahunt to go through bottles of hard tac, then at least GIVE him some real stuff so that he can actually BE drunk and not sometimes appear quite sober after a few shots

It took me a few days to go back to see the second half.... I could not stay for the end.... Perhaps Mr Bloom's agents were a bit over eager to sign him up for this one. I am sure there are much better offers out there who would be able to work with this talented actor

Final statement : rather go watch Sesame Street with your popcorn.

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.

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...