Directed by Sean Cranston and written by Scott Thomson, Redville begins with the class of 1999 at their graduation party. A fight over a girl digs an apparently unsurpassable trench between the teenage friends Tony (Anthony Mucci) and Joe (Michael French). Early on we see an impressive fight scene that is extremely well executed, pointing towards Cranston’s attention to detail and commitment towards the film. The rest of the friendship group, Julian (Gabe Romano) and Brian (Justin Hetzer), find themselves suffering the consequences and the four of them split their separate ways. Beginning here and then jumping forwards 20 years feels somewhat different for a film of this kind as it isn’t a typical coming of age narrative. By the time we meet the adult cast, they have already come of age with fully formed grudges, egos, careers, wives and political campaigns.
During this unseen period, Julian (as an adult played by Scott Thomson) has become mayor of his hometown, Redville, and is campaigning to be re-elected. Brian (Justin Hetzer) has moved to California and has a good job and a very lovely wife. Joe (Joe Reilly) works at a car dealership and is trying his best to impress his boss. Well, perhaps not his best. Tony (Paul Sacchetti) has a wife called Mandy (Alyssa Brackley) but he seems to cling on to grudge from all those years ago more tightly than his wife. Still bitter towards his friends, it is no surprise that the sudden death of his wife and subsequent discovery of her affair plunges Tony into an isolated despair.
The setting up of these older characters creates a good idea of who the teenagers have become. Details such as Julian’s campaign videos and the moments with his family really add some colour to his character and the film as a whole. Similarly Joe wheeling and dealing as a car salesmen is good comic relief. These smaller moments build up the essence of the film rather than the main plot are executed really well. Redville boasts a large cast of perhipheral characters, all of which add a little to this essence creating a rich sense of community within the film. In his directing, Cranston makes the most of his available resources and maximises their potential. For example, rather than attempting to stage the fatal car crash, he adopts the more effective ‘less is more’ approach. This really pays off. As the plot thickens, we begin to ask ourselves whether this is rekindled loyalty or downright stupidity. Of course, that isn’t for me to decide.
The film has some impressive locations which creates a sense of expansiveness – as if the characters inhabit a real world not just a particular scene or moment. The snowy landscape made me think of Fargo. There are some lovely examples of cinematography within the film, without pushing the boundaries into the discomfort of the experimental. One thing not all viewers may appreciate is the original heavy metal score composed by Bobby Lavoy and Don Clarke. It’s an unusual accompaniment but personally, as a metal head, I liked it!
The twist at the end really makes the film really worth watching. Together Sean Cranston and Scott Thomson have created an impressive film that, though a little slow in places, is engaging, interesting and above all else – fun to watch.
Watch the trailer below!