Red Dirt

"Red Dirt" is not quite like any film –independent or otherwise – to have come out in some time. Some seem to have been disappointed that this wasn't a great southern "romance" either straight or gay and others seem to have been unable to connect with the characters.

While the premise is easily recognizable and perhaps, predictable even, what Purvis did was take a standard situation - and give it a spin all its own with fresh, inviting characters.

I feel Mr. Purvis captures perfectly a small town in the deep South. Deadly silence punctuated by birds, wolves, crickets, locust, rain. Then there are the crazy southern women (all 4 women in this showed signs of madness) always with deeply hidden and long held secrets. All of these women exhibit a wondrously wide (and wild) range of emotions from instability to madness to wise.

One of the most touching elements of the film was the bonding connection between Emily and Aunt Summer, with Em's final "goodbye" an arrestingly beautiful film moment.

The gay repression angle works perfectly here, both men quiet about it, but Griffith actually socially naïve and stunted enough into thinking what is going on between he and Lee is strictly friendship. His unhinging and rage were moving.

Comments about Karen Black's being "all over the place" are correct, but this is not a bad thing. Her character is just that – emotionally unstable, a lifetime of guilt over her secret which is what is driving her mad. We see that pent up madness within her coming out in her dramatic loony-tune sequences and her escape into music makes perfect sense.

To those who complained about a lack of romantic ending, I can't imagine a more classically "romantic" then this; rage, revelation and confusion subsiding into sadness, forgiveness, self-awareness and acceptance . . . as the sun streams down on a glorious southern evening.

Physically, as well, this is a stunning film, the photography breathtaking, the colors vivid and true.

I did not, quite honestly, expect to enjoy this film at all. Instead I found myself drawn in, touched watching these self-imposed alienated characters trying to connect with another human, and ultimately I found myself deeply moved.

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Red Dirt takes place in a tiny rural community in southern Louisiana along the banks of the Mississippi River and revolves around Griffith. Full of angst, Griffith longs to leave this seething cess pool after graduating from high school, but feels he should stay and watch after his Aunt Summer (or as he says, 'Summuh') who raises him like a mother after Grif's parents. Summer is mentally ill...perhaps depression or bi-polar...and mostly stays cooped up in her room listening to depressing opera music. When he's not working around the farm or taking care of his aunt, Griffith hangs out with his cousin, Emily. Things change when a young drifter, Lee, strolls in and befriends Griffith.

The southern accents are slathered on a little thick to put it nicely. Normally, I can understand someone with a deep southern accent, but I frequently had to stop and replay the DVD to catch some of the dialogue. Some scenes are portrayed a bit over-dramatic as well...mostly the ones with Summer. There were several times I couldn't help but bust out laughing over the contrived dialogue and acting which is not necessarily a good thing for a dramatic movie such as this. Maybe this particular rental DVD had some scratches on it, but I came across some very noticeable jump cuts.

You have to wade through a lot of character development to get to see anything remotely gay, and then, seemingly, Griffith comes to terms with himself overnight. We see a quick male-on-male kiss and that's the end of that. To Tag Purvis' credit, the controversial issues are presented very matter-of-fact.

What can I say about the ending without giving it completely away? The characters that are complacent enough with living here move out, and the characters who long to leave wind up staying. No real explanation is given.

Overall, the ending seemed hasty and unsatisfying after sitting through a lot of beautiful cinematography. If you have ever longed to get out of the place and situation you are in and discover your true potential elsewhere, but kept coming up with excuses to stay...probably due to the fear of the unknown..., you will see yourself in this movie. Otherwise, move along. There is nothing to see here.

If you enjoy being spoon-fed at the theater or in front of your television, then this movie isn't for you. If you are offended by a subtle gay storyline however non-offensive it may be, then perhaps a night out at Hooters would be better suited for you. But if you think you might enjoy a movie with interesting Southern characters, set amidst some fine beauty from the southern part of the U.S., then this flick might be for you. The direction IS just fine and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked the characters. Karen Black is a real treat here.

watching this movie a few times with friends etc, we agreed upon that although it takes place in modern times it seems like the characters were uptight in showing their true feelings because of belief systems instilled upon the characters upbringings. This movie has beautiful scenery with some sordid entanglements but it brings to light that as Love of the heart goes it can find its way through the most stubborn of circumstances! Dan Montgomery is drop dead gorgeous and so is Walton Goggins, One just wishes the outcome would have been a little more romantic than it was! I bet a lot of people who are trapped in society's little headgames who cannot truly display their affections might wish for a Walton to come into their life and start living. The film does not by any means make a straight person feel uncomfortable at all by watching it, in fact it makes them think! I loved this movie and I wish it well!

There are several holes in the story of this movie... if you're one of those people who gets hung up on that, move along. If you're able to immerse yourself into something and just enjoy it, then I would recommend this movie... quite enjoyable.

I'm not a fan of it being billed as a "gay" movie; when Lee Todd enters the world of Griffith and Emily, and their slightly crazed Aunt Selma, Griffith for the first time has someone that he can consider a friend (besides his beautifully controlling cousin Emily, who desires more than mere companionship and will try anything she can to keep him in their native small Mississippi town).

I don't think the words "gay", "queer", or "homosexual" ever enter this movie; while the characters develop a love that is self-admittedly stronger than friendship, that's really what this movie is about. Griffith's frustrating love and sense of responsibility for his crazed aunt, Emily's obsessive blinding love for Griffith, and Lee's protective love of Griffith...

Add in an interesting subplot of a dark family secret (that had so much more potential that it actually delivered) and it's an interesting concept.

Having grown up myself in a very small rural town where few people ever leave, I related to the movie and thought that even if the story was a bit weak, it was still beautifully delivered.