RED ROAD

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Every now and then you come across a film that’s so good and so daring that it fair takes your breath away.  This is one such film.

The central character is Jackie, a CCTV operator who doesn’t seem to have much of a social life other than having occasional unsatisfying sex with a married man in his car. 

Gradually we learn that her husband and daughter died some time in the past and that this tragedy is connected in some way with a recently released prisoner who she spots during her surveillance. 

This leads her to start stalking him which involves some extremely tense scenes especially when she starts to develop something of a relationship with him.  This leads to an extraordinary scene which I thought might be on the cards but even so it's so audacious I was knocked over when it happens. 

All credit then to everyone involved, especially Kate Dickie who plays Jackie and gives a terrific performance, and Andrea Arnold who wrote and directed it.   Wikipedia informs me that it is shot in a Dogme 95 style, which apparently means it concentrates on the story and the performances, with minimal artificiality.  The film was made on location in the gritty and rundown back streets of Glasgow, and feels very, very authentic.  

Quite rightly it won the 2006 Cannes Jury Prize (I say confidently without knowing what the competition was). 

As a bonus Martin Compston is in fine fettle in a supporting role a few years before he achieved small screen fame in 'Line of Duty'.

I now want to seek out Andrea Arnold's other films, such as 'Fish Tank'.

RATING: ✓✓ Good Times

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