Sorry, this movie sucks

Absolutely Brilliant!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Two men, Trygve A. Diesen and Lucky McKee have taken writer Jack Ketchum's endearing novel and created an equally touching movie. What's surprisingly interesting is Brian Cox, an established actor who is known for his more boisterous, authoritarian and commanding roles gives a superb tour-de-force, in this film. Playing retired gentleman Avery Ludlow who's quiet peaceful and uneventful life is interrupted by the senseless killing of his beloved pet dog. The dog's name " RED " is also the title of this story which is about a trio of cold hearted teen-age boys who are responsible for the murderous act. Mr. Ludlow hopes the boys will eventually grow up and confess to the crime, but is disappointed when they don't and instead take shelter in a wealthy father's powerful status and influence. He is therefore prompted to seek justice on his own. The movie is all about his gallant efforts. In addition the audience will be deeply impressed by the acclaimed performance given by Brian Cox. After watching him and the other cast members such as Noel Fisher, Tom Sizemore and Robert Englund, one will conclude this is one great film which should earn it, a special place among the modern Classics. ****

I thought I was going to see another film of the same title. To tell you the truth I wish I had. The acting was unconvincing and awkward at times. Where as Gran Torino was fresh and riveting, I found this film boring and cumbersome.I don't gamble much but I was 100% sure the bad kid's father would live and at least one of his sons would die, at least the son who expressed he had a conscience for sure would die. I would have liked it better if the mom had gotten shot as she tried to diffuse the situation. Anything but the overly predictable outcome.I understand they had some problems in production hiring/ firing and it shows. The scene where the dog (imaginary or real who cares)comes to him when he was dying was pathetic.This was more of a Lifetime project with a little more violence and cursing. I can see why it didn't do so well and cannot (or don't want to) see how this film got a 7/10 rating. I'm not a hater and I feel the 4 I gave it was generous and only because I love dogs as well.

Avery Ludlow (Brian Cox) lives a quiet and semi-secluded life. All the joy that is left in this world after the deaths of his wife and children is firmly placed in the paws of a lovable old dog named Red. Splitting time between his store and fishing Avery leads a peaceful, if uneventful life. All that is good must come to an end... or there would be no movie.Whilst out fishing with Red as his sole companion he encounters three youths hunting for animals with a brand new rifle. Avery is quick to give a few pointers out to the kids, but their leader Danny (Noel Fisher) is frustrated by being tutored by the old man. This results in Danny attempting to steal from Avery, but when this turns out to be fruitless he decides to shoot Red...Avery's sadness quickly turns into a quest for justice. A quest that just seems to snowball downhill.Brian Cox is a brilliant actor and this is one more excellent performance by the old timer. That said he alone is not able to carry this movie into any direction of interest and some below par acting does not help. Especially appalling is Kim Dickens, who plays a holier than thou TV journalist called Carrie. My main problem with this movie is its lack of focus. Scampering around for a main theme it misses several opportunities to i.e. focus on cruelty towards animals or delve into the engulfing emptiness of Avery's life that the dog's death has caused. These themes are just superficially touched and then we suddenly head into the dangerous territory of 'eye for an eye' revenge type scenario, which overshadows the fact that this movie is about Red. The dog. And his death. And not about dysfunctional families and their mental issues.This story may have worked in the book, but for a movie you really need to refocus the plot, as you can't touch too many subjects without risking gibberish.

I can't think of any flaws with this film. I went into this not knowing what to expect, only reading the slight synopsis on the rental. This film, in its early reviews, fell under the "revenge" category, but that is not what this is about in any way. There is no revenge here. Avery Ludlow, played by Brian Cox, is a man who is kind, generous and well respected in his community, a small town. Several teenagers commit an act that hurts him and he wants only admission and an apology. But the guilty are children of a rich man who won't let his reputation be hurt and who has connections and uses them so that Avery cannot put to rest the act that occurred (I am not going to say what it is, not really a spoiler since it is in the synopsis everywhere but in case this is all you read, you won't know then).There simply is no revenge in Ludlow's heart, but things get worse as he just tries to deal with what happened here, after losing his family several years prior to this. I won't go anymore into the story, but I will say that this is a great film, about morals, honor, and those with money who try to get away with anything. Beautifully acted, I always felt this was a totally realistic situation, the characters were very real to me and situations like this could very easily occur, and most probably do. I highly recommend this movie. I think it is an important film in many respects, and rarely is a story told these days where the victim doesn't seek cold revenge but just admission. As you find out about Ludlow's life, you will certainly be in sympathy for him, which only adds to the awful things that happen here. Don't miss this one!