Rent Red Rocket (2021)

Somewhat Seedy American Drama - Red Rocket review by GI

Here we have an indie American social drama with comedic overtones and a film that becomes more and more tedious as it traverses it's two hour plus runtime. There's an ironic study here of the Trump era MAGA mantra highlighting the underbelly of American society and it's weird, dysfunctional and at times reprehensible obsessions. The story follows Mikey (Simon Rex), a washed up porn film actor, charismatic and with the gift of the gab who has left Los Angeles and turned up at his estranged wife's house in a small Texas town. He inveigles his way back into her affections with lots of promises, including getting a job which proves rather difficult so he ends up selling weed for a local drug dealer. But it's when he meets the 17 year old 'Strawberry' who works in the local donut shop that Mikey's true colours are brought forth. He essentially seduces her with the intent of getting her into the porn film business and hence his return to his profession where he feels he has some standing. This story whilst at time intriguing is dragged out somewhat over a swear riddled and sex scene heavy narrative that, in my mind, loses its thematic goals. There's something seedy and unpleasant about every character here making the film seem sordid and creepy. Perhaps that's the aim but whatever the intentions it's a film with an interesting purpose and a difficult experience for the viewer.

Overlong US Movie Set Amongst Poor White Americans (like Florida Project) - Red Rocket review by PV

The reason films like this in recent years seem radical and new to US audiences is that they had NO kitchen sink drama over there as the UK had from the 50s on - we had our social realist films then and after (like KES), showing real poor people failing at life. Shane Meadows continues that tradition.

I must say I am not always a fan, and never sure re improvised acting of real people BUT it is all part of the whole. The point is we in Britain are well used to it; the Americans are not as most movies there portray rich people NOT the underclass. So this film is useful for that.

The problem is that this convoluted movie (which is 30 minutes too long at last) cannot decide if it is that or some bedroom farce or BOOGIE NIGHTS so often it's a bit of a mess. No doubt Americans find it hilarious. I yawned a lot.

Great lead actor BUT I have a problem with why we have so much male full-frontal nudity (even though fake) and yet when a woman he has slept with gets out of bed she has her underpants on! Now THAT is sexism.

3 stars. Better than The Florida Project which I gave 2.