Pauline Kael, a film critic who wrote for multiple prolific outlets, used to pride herself on “only seeing a film once” before constructing her cohesive review. I often question her theory, though – mainly because of films like Kevin Smith’s newest endeavor, Red State: a perpetually perplexing piece of work, spiced up with over-the-top action, political irreverence, and a tone bordering on religious caper and B-movie schlock.

Saying something along the lines of this isn’t your typical Kevin Smith film – feels like the understatement of the decade. Smith, for those who are unfamiliar, is known for his indie-witty comedies that are always politically incorrect and yet potently done.

So what makes Red State such a deviation from the atypical Smith affair? Well, pretty much everything – from the lack of sardonic wit or comedy to the characters with you know, values.

To just give you a taste of the film’s flare, I’ll attempt to describe the picture’s faulty plotline. Three horny high-school teenagers feel they’re ready to finally engage in sex. So, they of course take the only rational approach by concocting a situation where they hand over their money to a middle-aged woman (Melissa Leo’s Sara) and have some sort of disgusting gang-bang.

Unfortunately for Travis, Billy-Ray, and Randy (the teenagers) they get a bit more than what they paid for, once it is revealed that Sara is actually a devoted member of the Five Points Church – filled with sinister and downright awful fundamentalists. Putting this group in perspective, these folks make the KKK look about as peaceful as Mother Theresa. Yes, they’re that insane.

The film morphs from what was a standard teenage romp to a downright action/horror flick. The hormonal teens are now locked up, preparing themselves before getting murdered. Why? Because the fundamentalists have a bit of a big problem with homosexuals – and since the three wanted to take part in a relatively different act of sexual partnership, they’re next in line.

Reckless antics ensue here – scenes and plot lines I have no interest in describing or for that matter, discussing. Red State has no boundaries – in some areas that all-out balls-out approach works, in others it comes off as sloppy filmmaking.

Michael Parks and John Goodman having a tense scene on confrontation in Kevin Smith's "Red State"

I applaud Smith for stepping out of his comfort zone – one can only wish more directors were as confident and dangerous as him. However, while striving to succeed and excel in a new genre, he’s forgotten to bring many of his well-trained talents. For example, the characters in the film are constructed rather poorly. The many talented actors (John Goodman, Melissa Leo, and Michael Parks) are stuck in their thoughtless roles, spitting out lines with no substance or in some cases, all conviction and no build up. Smith’s script is more often than not, vapid and incoherent.

So, what does Red State do well? Let me tell you, this is one entertaining flick: Irrational, irreverent, and despicable, sure – but Smith is quickly becoming a master of exploitation. Beyond the entertainment, the film pretty much gains its thrills and chills from shock value. Uncanny events occur and people quickly diminish into thin air – all while playing to the tune of Smith’s radical religious story.

While there’s no doubt Red State is flawed on nearly every aesthetic and intellectual level, it’s a picture that is likely to gain some sort of cult following. And with good reason, Smith is brave and I appreciate that we have a director willing to just go for it. Unfortunately, the problems here just keep on piling up as the film progresses. Red State has nearly zero sense of pacing – as the film jumps from gory B-movie action to prolonged fundamentalist monologues almost instantaneously. The characters here aren’t human beings but merely shadings of characters Smith just forgot to fill in.

Above all, though, the film falters on one, problematic issue: While showcasing radical ideas and provocative characters, entangled with over-the-top action – Smith forgets to take a stance on the topics at hand.

Purgatory is overrated.

Rating:

Red State (2011)

Cast: Michael Angarano, Deborah Aquila, Nicholas Braun

Director: Kevin Smith

Writer: Kevin Smith

Runtime: 88 minutes

Genre: thriller, horror

by CinemaRx