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Red Rock West (1993) – Trailer Included
Red Rock West - Available on DVD
Writer/Director: John Dahl
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Dennis Hopper, Lara Flynn Boyle, Dwight Yoakam, J T Walsh
Getting in is easy. getting past the sign on the way out makes a movie.
The themes of greed, betrayal and temptation envelope as the plot continually twists. It’s a small town nightmare that increases the jeopardy with each new reveal, the portend atmosphere constantly reminding of the grander intent.
Much like Blood Simple did in 1984, at the time it was released Red Rock West confused many with the illusion of a complicated story, heady mix of violence, erotic desires and amoral characters. If it wasn’t for some enthusiastic art house championing it was destined for the straight to video shelves. Since then much of what made the film so fresh has been recycled most notably Oliver Stone’s U-Turn took the basic premise to an even more absurd extreme.
Michael Williams (Nicolas Cage) is a former military man turned drifter. He arrives in rural Wyoming with the promise of a job that falls through once his employer discovers he was discharged from the army because of a minor physical handicap.
Lyle from Dallas enjoys the taste of victory straight-up.
Fate intervenes and when he approaches Wayne (J T Walsh) the owner of the bar, Michael is mistaken for the hitman “Lyle from Dallas” (Dennis Hopper). Accepting the wad of bills intended to pay for the murder of Wayne’s temptress wife (Lara Flynn Boyle), Michael figures he will get out of dodge before anyone is the wiser. Fatal consequences now lurk around every corner and with each new action there is a greater diabolical reaction. Escaping the clutches of Red Rock will be the toughest challenge of his life.
Hopper and Cage - A combustible chemical reaction.
John Doe Says:
Lyle from Dallas runs into Michael from Texas in the pale blue light.
John Dahl’s (Unforgettable, Rounders) debut feature Kill Me Again announced the arrival of talented new comer and one of his outspoken fans was Francis Ford Coppolla. It was Coppolla’s passion that was largely responsible for Nicolas Cage signing on. That Dahl has now been relegated to a television Director (Californication, Dexter, True Blood) comments on the fickle nature of the business but also proves the workman like approach he has to quality material.
Dahl controls Red Rock West with confidence often operating on several levels with each scene and managing to maintain a consistent urgency. His screenplay, written with his brother Rick is economic and structured to milk tension while dedicating enough attention to each character to give the players room to place their own individual stamps on the imprint.
Made when Nicolas Cage (Vampire Kiss, Leaving Las Vegas) was still consistently evolving, as Michael he plays a good man without having to belabor the fact. The droopy eyes, slow drawling long paused delivery clad in denim and cowboy boots make a memorable contribution to his filmmography. Elements of his performance can be traced to David Lynch’s Wild at Heart but he builds upon that foundation and has a great time doing it.
Dennis Hopper brings the psycho to town.
Lara is a dangerous women.
Making a huge impact on JD when he first saw it in cinemas, revisiting it over the years the film still retains it obvious quality even if the story has been built upon since. A great example of postmodern subversion of the genre, it may seem simple by today’s standards but will still entertain those in need of an influential benchmark.
A scene from Red Rock West complete with Dennis Hopper freak out.
The red blooded male seduced in Red Rock by Lara Flynn Boyle. Who could say no?
Screen Adventure
bloody well written reivew. fantastic stuff. great to see you etching in your thoughts on an old favourite. My memories of Cage as a decent actor are fading far into the vaults of my mind these days, and it takes a film like this to stick on again and remind me of what he once was once capable of.
Horrorphile
Great review JD. And love JT.
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
I really miss Dahl on features. Loved his work - in fact his first 6 features are all great. (Yes, even the guilty pleasures of Unforgettable and Roadkill!!)
Film & TV on DVD
It is easy to forget just how good Cage can be when given the right part. Truly gifted in his early career I think that most recently Kick Ass and Lord of War benefited from his presence. (aside from the Bad Lt role I discussed the other day)
Film & TV on DVD
I loved the Last Seduction too (Linda is a big reason), but think Red Rock just inches it out for personal fave. My memory of Kill me Again is a little blurred too, though i do remember ranking it at the time. Time for a rescreening me thinks, and a Red Rock revisit for you.
PS I did mention that Dahl is doing True Blood, Dexter and Californication in my review. or did you see that and just want to reiterate?
Film & TV on DVD
I didn't mind Dahl's work on Rounders but Roadkill was too flawed for me to enjoy. I remember liking Unforgettable but its a hazy image. That being said i certainly admire his talents and think he should still be working on the Bigscreen, would have been interesting if he had got the gig to Direct the remake of The Killer Inside Me.
Film & TV on DVD
Pretty sure you will find some joy in this despite, like Shallow Grave that everything fresh about it has been refined since.