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By
WAYNE KLEIN
John Dahl's "Red Rock West"
has so many twists and turns in its plot, it makes
a python look like a ruler. Although this isn't a
new title, it's an underappreciated and forgotten
cult classic that deserves recognition for helping
to revive the film noir genre.
Michael (Nicholas Cage) arrives in Wyoming with a
promised job that doesn't pan out. Without money
and low on gas, he heads into the town of Red Rock
West. When he walks into a bar and is asked by
Wayne, the owner (the oily and late great J. T.
Walsh) if he's there about the job, Michael does
what anyone would do -- he says yes. What he
doesn't realize is that Wayne has mistaken him for
a hitman he's hired sight unseen to kill his wife
Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle). Michael takes the
$10,000 and heads up to Wayne's house. We're not
really sure of his intentions; all we do know is
that he seemed like such a nice guy. When Lyle,
the real hitman (Dennis Hopper) shows up, things
become more complicated as Michael has his money
and Wayne's wife.
A clever, well-written and directed film noir from
John Dahl ("The Last Seduction," "Joy Ride"), "Red
Rock West" became a cult classic on video when it
was first released. The film also has enough
quirks to remind me of the same qualities that
made the Cohen Brothers' "Blood Simple" and David
Lynch's "Blue Velvet" memorable as well. It has a
distinctive personality and visits the same genre
with typically comic cum dramatic results.
Although I didn't totally buy Cage in this role,
he does work his way into it and does a convincing
job. The supporting cast gives a terrific
performance, particularly J. T. Walsh, the
underrated Timothy Carhart as his deputy, and Lara
Flynn Boyle. Dennis Hopper does a variation on
"Frank" from Blue Velvet, although his turn as
Lyle is equally memorable -- I'm surprised he
didn't spring for the role he was originally cast
for, that of Wayne (which Walsh plays to
perfection).
The image quality on the DVD is exceptionally good
and the extras consist of a running commentary
from both Director Dahl and his brother
co-producer/co-writer Rick. It's full of
fascinating tidbits about the difficulty in
shooting a film like this on location. It's a pity
there's no commentary from Cage, Hopper or Boyle.
We also get the theatrical trailer although,
curiously, there's no featurette on the making of
this terrific cult classic. I would love to see
this reissued with a featurette on Walsh and with
deleted and alternate scenes. A great little
modern noir masterpiece that's well worth renting
or buying, "Red Rock West" stands as one of Dahl's
best films. |
