Red Rocket is a low-key comedy movie. I have to admit that I went in with the wrong expectations, thinking it would be a comedy in a classical sense, so I probably judge it a bit harsher than it deserves. It actually falls more into the category drama.
The casting is excellent, none of the persons feel like actors. And Simon Rex in particular is well-cast, since we know him mostly as the goofy but love-able guy. It seems as if he reprises this familiar role at first but the movie slowly peels off his layers. By the end of the movie, we know much more about this character than we care to know. The movie is very slow due to the long running time. But I found the ending very rewarding, in a plot-sense but also in it's catharsis. This guy's life is destined to end up in the same place over and over due to his lack of commitment, honesty, responsibility or unwillingness to learn from mistakes. Sadly I knew a few people like him in my life (always blaming others for their failures and shortcomings) and it kind of made the movie very relatable for me. Another thing I like , was the setting, the vast place that has nothing to offer and if you don't have a car or money you are literally left in the dust by the system. There is a certain sense of abandonment and isolation that really illustrates how the american dream is built upon a lot of these folks whose sole ownership consists of dreams and drugs.
I can say that this film won't be everyone's cup of tea, due to it's topic or nature, but I can't say I wasn't entertained. So it's a mild recommend. In a nutshell it's like a less-exciting and slower-paced Uncut Gems.
The casting is excellent, none of the persons feel like actors. And Simon Rex in particular is well-cast, since we know him mostly as the goofy but love-able guy. It seems as if he reprises this familiar role at first but the movie slowly peels off his layers. By the end of the movie, we know much more about this character than we care to know. The movie is very slow due to the long running time. But I found the ending very rewarding, in a plot-sense but also in it's catharsis. This guy's life is destined to end up in the same place over and over due to his lack of commitment, honesty, responsibility or unwillingness to learn from mistakes. Sadly I knew a few people like him in my life (always blaming others for their failures and shortcomings) and it kind of made the movie very relatable for me. Another thing I like , was the setting, the vast place that has nothing to offer and if you don't have a car or money you are literally left in the dust by the system. There is a certain sense of abandonment and isolation that really illustrates how the american dream is built upon a lot of these folks whose sole ownership consists of dreams and drugs.
I can say that this film won't be everyone's cup of tea, due to it's topic or nature, but I can't say I wasn't entertained. So it's a mild recommend. In a nutshell it's like a less-exciting and slower-paced Uncut Gems.