RIVER RED
Reviewed by Harvey Karten, Ph.D. Castle Hill Productions Director: Eric Drilling Writer: Eric Drilling, play by Eric Drilling Cast: Tom Everett Scott, David Moscow, Cara Buono, David Lowery, Denis O'Hare, Michael Kelly, Leo Burmester, Tibor Feldman, James Murtaugh
When Cain asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?" he probably meant the question to be rhetorical, but since that time, we thinking people have wondered just what are our responsibilities toward our family, friends, community, even the world. In his feature film debut, Eric Drilling tackles the question by focusing on two young men, brothers united in their hatred of their abusive father. He traces the consequences on both of an irrevocable action that solves one of their problems but leads to more complications in their lives than the gesture was worth. "River Red," a gothic tale of patricide, guilt and redemption, is a small indie film that telegraphs its storyline from the beginning. Nonetheless, fine acting, particularly by David Moscow in the role of the sacrificing younger brother, engages our care for the two lost souls as we deplore their malevolent deeds but rejoice in the justifiable revenge which concludes the story.
Writer-director Drilling opens his story with a flashback to a remote, New Hampshire setting. Ten-year-old Dave Holden and his kid brother Tom grimace as their chain-smoking father takes over their backyard touch football, brutally tackling Tom to Dave's impotent disgust. Moving his characters to their teens, Drilling shows Dave (Tom Everett Scott) and Tom (David Moscow) trying to start an old pick-up truck that they've bought, while disapproving dad (Denis O'Hare) knocks Tom to the ground and punches out a headlight. When Dave stabs his father to death Greek-tragic style, alleging that he did so for his brother's benefit, Tom, who is still a minor, voluntarily takes the rap and is sent to a juvenile facility. Dave, left alone in the rustic house, cannot find the job he needs to pay off his father's debts and, despite the help and romantic attentions of a neighbor, Rachel (Cara Buono), he pursues a life of petty, violent robberies to fund his needs.
Drilling has a talent for portraying the atmosphere of a remote area of Americana which offers a bar as the sole place of entertainment and escape for the locals. As expected, the town is generally more neighborly than a big city, with everyone from the local grocer to the auto repair garage putting expenses on the tab. Though Dave is unable to get a loan from the bank or an extension of the deadline for mortgage payments, he is befriended and temporarily employed by bar owner Billy (David Lowery--an accomplished lead singer with over a million records sold) and counseled by a judge (Leo Burmester) and a psychiatrist (Tibor Feldman). His financial situation does not dampen the attentions of Rachel (Cara Buono), who must make all the moves herself because of Dave's newly-withdrawn nature.
In addition to providing an arresting, if predictable, tale of fraternity and patricide, Drilling's movie is a study of guilt. According to the writer, a man who feels guilty about his brother's sacrifice does not endear the remorseful person to his benefactor. Rather, it causes little more than a growing resentment, even hate, toward the person who has made one feel culpable. Even the poor dog, an endearing Golden Labrador Retriever who is Dave's only companion, is sent out to pasture because Dave does not like the way the animal's look makes him feel blameworthy.
A filmed version of Mr. Drilling's well-acted play which has been opened up for the screen and is perfectly suited for home video, "River Red" offers rewards to fans of the large screen who can admire the lush, rural setting of New Hampshire (actually filmed in the Northwest New Jersey of Rockaway).
Not Rated. Running Time: 104 minutes.(C) 1998 Harvey Karten
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