Red Dirt
not rated 110 minutes Sweet Tea Productions starring Dan Montgomery, Aleksa Palladino, Karen Black, and Walton Goggins written and directed by Tag Purvis
A Review by Frankie Paiva
Despite careful consideration I have still not decided whether Karen Black is more eccentric as her character in this movie, or in person. The mentally ill woman she portrays is certainly unique. She has her quirks, but most of them are strangely charming, or don't seem to matter. Later discussion led me to believe Ms. Black got a large amount of sugar to consume during the movie. Regardless, her Aunt Summer is the only thing that keeps this movie going. Without her, this movie would be a dreary mess with no purpose whatsoever. Scenes sans Aunt Summer made me want to fall asleep, the phrase, "wake me when it's over" comes to mind. Red Dirt is way too slow to be much of anything, and I saw no real point in it being made. While director and writer Tag Purvis is homosexual, the movie isn't autobiographical, so what was its purpose? Before I continue, let me tell you the dismal world these people live in.
Griffith (Dan Montgomery) and Emily (Aleksa Palladino) are two teenage cousins living in Pine Apple, Mississippi. The fact that they are cousins doesn't stop them from leisurely completing daily activities nude or discourages them from taking frequent tumbles in the hay. Their mothers might be their sisters, and their sisters might be their mothers. The whole concept doesn't bother them a bit. Living with the two is crazy Aunt Summer (the aforementioned Karen Black) who paces the house daily and knits while listening to old music on her record player. Griffith is responsible for Summer while Emily shows little interest in her or in Lynn Thomas (Peg O'Keef) the woman who is supposedly their real mother. Handsome wayfarer Lee Todd (Walton Goggins) comes into town and rents out a nearby cottage, Griffith and Lee soon become friends. As the film progresses, it gradually becomes clear that Griffith and Lee are forming a romantic relationship. This sets off Emily who begins to spend more time with Aunt Summer. All characters must face the horrors of their way of life and the town they live in. The question becomes whether Griffith and Lee will live (as best put by an audience member) gayily ever after.
The subject matter of repressed homosexuality and teenage confusion are anything but light. However, the film only features them when it wants to. Scenes that show up to extend the running time happen often. It's obvious that Griffith and Lee like each other from the beginning. Near the middle of the film I was mentally goading the two on, wishing they would just kiss and get it over with. Aunt Summer is the only person confused for a reason. Perhaps this isn't fair to the characters. It's scientifically proven that we accept the world we are born into, and I can see why Griffith gets so distressed by, and later rejects his sexual preference. While more apparent in novels like To Kill A Mockingbird, the idea that the American south is an entirely different world within a vastly different country doesn't get presented well. Lackluster performances are all around. Aleksa Palladino (who played a somewhat similar role in The Adventures of Sebastian Cole), and Karen Black are only slightly better than their castmates. Dan Montgomery's mediocre Griffith becomes annoying and nude scene after nude scene I couldn't help wondering if the actor got chosen for his body rather than his acting skills.
Red Dirt does manage to be quite a beautiful movie. Purvis's writing chops aren’t perfect, but the man does have a keen visual eye. There are some gorgeous shots that are simply stunning. Purvis would most likely do wonders with the right material, but this is just too depressing and boring to be anything worth recommending.
I think the answer to my question about Karen Black just popped up. If I had to work on such a somber movie for a few months, I'd be taking some sugar too.
D+
Frankie Paiva SwpStke@aol.com http://www.homestead.com/cinemaparadise/mainpage.html
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