You know sometimes life just sucks. It seems, no matter what you do, it's wrong. Maybe it's a case of bad luck, perhaps you're shortsighted, or what if God just likes to make you squirm. In Red Rock West, Michael Williams (Nicolas Cage) is having a bad day.

Mike is looking for work. He drove 1200 miles to get a job that he thought was a sure thing, but because of his bum leg, they turn him down. He's got five bucks in his wallet, and hardly any gas left. What's a man to do? It just so happens, today is his lucky day -- or so he thinks. The bartender, Wane Brown (the late J.T. Walsh), mistakes Michael for someone named Lyle. Because he thinks Michael, is Lyle, he offers him a job. Michael, who is looking for work, gladly accepts.

Turns out Wane wants Mike to kill his wife, Suzanne (Lara Flynn Boyle). Mike is basically a good guy, but he is short on cash. So he accepts. The plot has quite a few twist and turns, but you're pretty sure you know what direction it's going to go. For example, it's not surprising that Suzaane offers to double the money if Mike will kill Wane, and it's not surprising that the two have an attraction for each other. It's also not shocking that the real Lyle (Dennis Hopper) comes to town.

It's also nice to see our lead Mike, does appear to have some smarts to him. His first chance, he tries to take the money and run, but for circumstances that he can not help, he keeps getting dragged back to old Red Rock.

This type of film has been told many times. Typical film noir, that has a flawed hero, twisted villains, greed, money and of course a pesky femme fatale.

The film is familiar, but that doesn't mean it's not fun. Red Rock West is in many ways a lighthearted comedy. Take the Dennis Hopper character Lyle. Sure, he's a murdering psychopath with absolutely no morals, but besides for that one character flaw, he's a pretty good guy. He has the type of attitude that says, "just because I'm going to kill you, doesn't mean we can't be friends," that all Dennis Hopper villains have.

Then there's Cage, who gives one of his most subtle performances. Cage's character is very likable, which is exactly what he needed to be. Everything depends on the fact that we feel sorry for him, so we want everything to work out. The more bad things that happen to Michael, the more involved we get with the film. One of the problems with the similar film U-Turn (a film I like, but most hate), is that you didn't care what happened to the Penn character, because he was a dick.

J.T. Walsh, the wonderful character actor who died before his time, plays the role of the human villain; as opposed to the other worldly Hopper. He plays the character with an unpredictable amount of rage. All of the character's fates seem to be twisted around his fingers.

Lara Flynn Boyle is adequate. A more talented actress could have brought more to the role, but she is fine. Although she is not nearly as attractive in the film, as she is today. I can't put my finger on why she looks so different, but she's changed something.

The film was directed and co-written by John Dahl. Dahl is the man behind one of my favorite Norton films, Rounders. He also directed the highly overrated The Last Seduction and the forgettable Unforgettable. As of now, he still has not made a great film, but he does show promise.
















Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day