By At times, Australian cinema seems like a fun-house mirror version of what Hollywood pumps out. While other countries, particularly those in Europe, have taken a century to develop a style of cinema in direct opposition to the narrative-driven Hollywood blockbuster, Australian films often revel in their similarity to American movie culture. So when a film like Red Hill comes along, carrying with it more than a few allusions to the American Western, what are American audiences to make of it?
At times, Australian cinema seems like a fun-house mirror version of what Hollywood pumps out. While other countries, particularly those in Europe, have taken a century to develop a style of cinema in direct opposition to the narrative-driven Hollywood blockbuster, Australian films often revel in their similarity to American movie culture. So when a film like Red Hill comes along, carrying with it more than a few allusions to the American Western, what are American audiences to make of it?{{page_break}}
The film spares little time introducing our hero, Shane Cooper (Ryan Kwanten), as he gets ready for his first day of duty as a young policeman in the town of Red Hill. Although Shane is predictably troubled by the town’s lack of resources and his boss’s gruff nature, his positive attitude never ceases to carry him through his work. It is only after convicted murderer Jimmy Conway (Tommy Lewis) breaks out of jail and comes to Red Hill that Shane truly has a problem. It turns out that Jimmy used to live in Red Hill, and upon getting out of jail, has begun to exact his revenge on the people who locked him up.
Red Hill, however, is a film that sticks heavily to the formula laid out for it. Anyone with a relative background in American Westerns will have no trouble picking up on the storyline after spending a bit of time with these characters. The advantage to using a story that feels roughly familiar to everyone watching is that the film can dig into some thematic issues that a fresher idea wouldn’t have time to go into. The disadvantage is that Red Hill’s story has little motivation, other than Shane’s challenged morality and Jimmy’s revenge that is.
For American audiences, however, the film does offer a unique opportunity. In using a tried and true formula, Red Hill is able to replicate the Western narrative while infusing it with the unique flavor of Australia. Red Hill takes the Western genre’s established cowboys vs. Indians conflict and uses it to illuminate Australia’s own clash between Aborigines and non-indigenous Australians. It’s interesting to watch from an American perspective, since this conflict, while palpable to Australians, is mostly lost to our own audience. It will give you pause as the violence and anti-racist overtones of the film work to tug at your moral core. The conflict all seems so senseless, until you realize that Americans relegated Native Americans to the exact same ‘bloodthirsty’ status in our own past.
The film looks quite beautiful, as it combines many different visual motifs for an odd effect. Whereas the sets and buildings have a very old-west feel to them, the vistas are unmistakably Australian. The scope and texture that these shots have are impressive, especially considering the authenticity of the buildings staged in the middle of it all. The town of Red Hill has an unmistakable feeling to it, which, in the end, helps to set the tone of the film overall.
But, when it comes down to it, Red Hill just simply doesn't bring enough to the table that is new or innovative. Because the film traps itself within the Western genre, any moments that fall outside of this style feel awkward and forced (as a brief supernatural element to the story does). While the film is gritty, and doesn’t shy away from blood, it offers no violence or thrills that haven't been experienced before. And that speaks to the true problem with Red Hill– you’ve seen this movie already. The only question is, do you want to see it with a different accent?
Overall Score 6.20 — Okay. (6s are just okay. These movies usually have many flaws, didn’t try to do anything special, or were poorly executed. Some will still love 6s, but most prefer to just rent them. Watch more trailers and read more reviews before you decide.)
Red Hill goes where you think it will, but with a down under twist. Visually interesting, inspired by the impressive landscapes of Australia. A mildly entertaining story, but it loses steam half way through.