Welcome to Redville

This is one of those movies that seems to have a simple plot with simple dialog but has a lot happening throughout the show. A high strung diamond thief, Leo, and his girlfriend, Toni, rob a jewelry store which does not go well. They end up running from the cops in a chase through the desert out side of town. They end up stopped at the edge of a cliff with a 30 foot drop with the police blocking their exit behind them. Leo decides to take the car and make the jump which they make without issue. They drive away in a cloud of dust leaving the police standing back frustrated. They end up lost in the desert with no cell service and a damaged radiator when they happen upon a sign, "Welcome to Redville". They notice that Redville is not on their map and Leo sees this as an opportunity to lay low from the authorities. This is when the movie gets even more entertaining as things become quite strange. The town folk in Redville are different and strange. You sense a small town vibe and all of the characters are introduced as Leo and Toni try to figure out where they are. Sabrina Haskett plays Lila, the daughter of the town sheriff and a temptress to Leo. Along with the other twists and turns you have references to clowns and the circus (part of Leo's past), a crazy homeless man, a rare blue diamond, all seasoned well with dashes of humor. I watched the movie twice before writing this review because there was so much going on between Lila, Leo, Toni and the other characters I was sure I missed some of the dialog. The ending of the movie leaves you wondering if Leo and Toni will ever leave Redville or if they will be there forever with "No Way Out". I polished off plenty of popcorn watching this movie and enjoyed it very much!

"Welcome to Redville" tells the story of a young couple on the run, after a violent robbery, who end up in a small town. There are unexpected twists and turns that keep the plot moving forward in director Isaac H. Eaton indie movie. He puts a quirky spin on this dramatic thriller combining surprises, humor and a cast of eccentric characters. The lead, Jack Manley (The Order), has a strong star presence, and the quirky Chris Elliott (Grounding Day, Schitt's Creek.) plays Redville's small town sheriff. The seductive Sheriff's daughter Lila is played by the beautiful newcomer Sabrina Haskett. Eaton's movies always had a unique quality, associated with indie productions, and this new release from director Eaton is no different. One of his earlier movies Shadow Hours, starring Balthazar Getty and Peter Weller, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was a Grand Jury Selection Nominee in the dramatic category. As the WGA and SAG strikes still looms in Hollywood, we could and probably should be exposed to more unique nonmainstream productions. Welcome to indie movies, enjoy the ride....

I am a huge fan of small films. I seek out these titles and support them (paying viewer.) I also watched the director's previous feature Shadow Hours. That film stuck with me if only for its unusual themes.

Welcome to Redville is a difficult film to digest. I found myself wanting to turn off the television in frustration, but desiring to see the movie to its conclusion anyway. There are several reasons for this.

The film seems more concerned with immersing the viewer in its' odd small-town setting more than committing to an actual story. IT does succeed at this, though. The actors all do their job adequately, but the script does no one any favors. The soundtrack of the film often counteracts the specific tone of a scene, with strange circus-style tunes playing when serious emotional exchanges occur. The implausible story ultimately implodes on itself at the end, with the "twist" frustratingly arriving in the films final moments.

I will watch the director's next feature. I am sure the lead actors in the film all have great careers ahead of them. I am not rating this lower because it is clear that effort was put into this production.

I would recommend skipping this one unless you cannot find anything else streaming, or you want to play a drinking game with friends.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film! It's a high octane thrill ride with plenty of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish. The storyline is unexpected and keeps you interested throughout. The cinematography is top notch! I thought the characters were interesting and the acting was well done from the leads to the increasingly eccentric townspeople. Chris Elliott is always great for some comic relief. The two leads, Jake Manley and Highdee Kuan and good chemistry and played well off each other. It was well directed as well. I would feel very comfortable recommending Welcome to Redville to friends and family. Enjoy the Ride!!!

Highdee Kuan and Jake Manley star in this robbery turned dadaesque odyssey into the town of Redville. The screenplay accomplishes an earnest, though brief, exploration of the tension between commitment and desire, while also delivering a sort of cabinet of curiosities provided by the quirky residents of Redville. Manley delivers a solid performance as an archetypal bad boy with a rough past, while the absurdity of the plot keeps this portrayal from being overbearing. Kuan portrays a more low-key and down-to-earth Bonny to Manley's Clyde, which functions well in the more rooted first act, though she is somewhat left behind by the rapid succession of events in the second. Overall, Welcome to Redville sets out to present the set piece of a weird small town propelling a story about a relationship entering a new phase of its growth. Director Isaac Eaton hits the mark in this campy film on a small budget.