As a seasoned movie enthusiast who has seen more than a few films in my time, I must say that “Rebel Ridge” is a thriller that truly stands out. Saulnier’s direction, coupled with Aaron Pierre’s captivating performance, makes for an engaging and suspenseful ride.
During the early 2010s, the Gareth Edwards remake of Godzilla chose to eliminate a reference to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings as part of an agreement for U.S. military cooperation. This decision highlights how mainstream Hollywood often avoids tackling sensitive issues like authority, colonialism, racism, or other injustices. Instead, you’ll find fictional “cartel” antagonists more common in typical action movies than characters representing groups such as Klansmen or conservative supporters. Many modern American films, from Long Shot to the Transformers series, are designed to comfort the privileged. As Hollywood has grown increasingly centralized in recent years, chances for deviation from this norm have become scarce
Jeremy Saulnier’s contemporary works, such as the 2016 thriller “Green Room,” truly shine brightly among others due to their unflinching portrayal of real-world issues. In “Green Room,” Saulnier combined exceptional cinematography and editing with an unapologetic depiction of modern neo-Nazis as antagonists, without any softening period setting for comfort. The film boldly showcased that white supremacy continues to thrive in today’s America. “Green Room” proudly displayed the dark side of skinheads and neo-Nazi groups through symbols like Confederate Flags, which Saulnier effectively used to underscore their evil nature. In his latest film, “Rebel Ridge,” Saulnier further accentuates the villainy of character Office Steve Lann (Emory Cohen) by having him wear a Blue Lives Matter patch on his chest
In contrast to many contemporary films, Saulnier’s work boldly confronts the misuse of Black Lives Matter messaging for racist purposes. Unlike others, he steers clear of glorifying police characters, instead using this narrative as a showcase for his powerful creative vision, resulting in an exceptionally well-made thriller
In the gripping start of “Rebel Ridge” by Saulnier, we find the character Terry Richmond (played by Aaron Pierre) rushing somewhere while blasting Iron Maiden music. This opening scene immerses us directly into Richmond’s life without any explanatory narration or brief flashbacks. It is only after a duo of police officers, Lann and Officer Evan Marston (portrayed by David Denman), forcefully bring Richmond down, that we start to gather details about him. Gradually, we discover that he has $30,000 in cash on hand, which he plans to use at the small-town courthouse of Shelby Springs for his cousin Mike’s bail
The two policemen seize the cash, labeling it as “alleged drug funds.” This action is tied to a legally permissible process known as “civil asset forfeiture,” which leaves Richmond with limited avenues to free his relative from prison. As local Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) becomes personally involved in making Richmond’s life difficult, the options available to him become increasingly scarce. This powerful figure in Shelby Springs enjoys wielding his authority and amassing funds for his department. However, unbeknownst to these officers, Richmond is not someone who backs down from challenging circumstances. In fact, when faced with adversity, he becomes more resilient
Jeremy Saulnier’s script is fantastic across multiple aspects, but it truly excels in a crucial area for an action thriller: it’s incredibly engaging to witness. This filmmaker has an exceptional ability to craft and execute sequences that are pulsating with tension. A standout scene showcases Richmond chasing after Mike on a bicycle, reminiscent of Eddy Merckx, as he catches up to the prison bus. The dialogue between them while Richmond pedals frantically infuses the scene with palpable energy. It also effectively highlights the strong bond between Richmond and his cousin, as well as his remarkable physical prowess. In just a few minutes of screen time, so much is accomplished without compromising the enjoyability of “Rebel Ridge”
A later especially memorable set piece sees Saulnier also excelling as Rebel Ridge’s editor. This particular scene cuts between Richmond and Burnne talking tensely out in front of the Shely Springs police station and Office Jessica Sims (Zsana Jhe) trying to retrieve vital information on Richmond’s background in the face of spotty Wi-Fi. The cuts between these two locations are impeccably timed and nicely create a slowly simmering air of tension. The inevitable moment when Sims finally uncovers what element of Richmond’s past makes him so dangerous is especially deftly executed. Rebel Ridge has craftsmanship to spare in its filmmaking and it’s put in the service of a deeply suspenseful thriller.
Although Saulnier is at the helm of Rebel Ridge, it falls under the category of Netflix Original Movies, and some persistent problems with this genre’s productions are present here. Much like pesky mosquitos ruining an otherwise enjoyable outing, these issues crop up during your viewing experience. Specifically, the pacing flaws that have hampered lesser Netflix productions such as Triple Frontier and Army of the Dead are apparent in the second act of Rebel Ridge. Furthermore, the annoying light blue color grading common to numerous Netflix films (and, it must be said, many theatrical releases) saturates several nighttime scenes. Lastly, the third act features lengthy dialogue sequences shot with a cinematography that’s tightly framed, reminiscent of the way people often watch these movies on their phones
The tight, claustrophobic shots in the film are particularly striking due to Saulnier and cinematographer David Gallego’s initial preference for complex, wider frames. These expansive images frequently contain subtle, potentially foreboding details scattered throughout the background, keeping viewers constantly alert as they scan every corner of the frame for possible threats lurking around Richmond. The close-quarters fight scenes exhibit a comparable level of visual skill. Clear framing and minimal disorienting editing enable viewers to savor thrilling crowd-pleasing moments like Richmond firing multiple shots from a shotgun without so much as blinking
In the context of Richmond, Aaron Pierre truly shines as a prominent character. Before, Pierre captivated audiences in the role of Mid-Sized Sedan in M. Night Shyamalan’s film Old, and though every cast member was underappreciated in the disappointing Foe from last year, Pierre stood out. In Rebel Ridge, Pierre takes center stage and delivers an exceptional performance. Physically, Pierre’s presence alone is captivating. The plot of Rebel Ridge initially portrays Richmond as a deliberately vague figure. However, Pierre’s mesmerizing charm keeps you riveted to the screen, eager to learn more about this man. As for Pierre, he brings a refreshing touch to his role as a leading man. Modern leading men like Chris Evans or Chris Hemsworth often struggle to convincingly portray ordinary characters while maintaining their muscular physiques. Their physical attributes work against them, making them appear more like action figures than everyday people such as dads or lawyers
In another way of putting it, Pierre stands out as a robust, imposing figure without a doubt. Yet, he convincingly portrays a working-class character that feels authentic, never appearing as if he’s only there for action scenes. Instead, Pierre brings such sincerity to Richmond’s quiet moments and the emotional turmoil surrounding Mike that you can easily see him as an everyday man. In fact, his acting style mirrors Spencer Tracy’s in the film “Bad Day at Black Rock,” where a strong-willed individual navigates a small town riddled with casual corruption. Just like Tracy, Pierre skillfully adds layers of humanity to a character fighting for justice, making his performance all the more believable and relatable
Absolutely, unlike Tracy, Pierre has the potential to play characters similar to John Wick or Chan Ka-Kui when needed. His intense acting, combined with suspenseful sequences reminiscent of Saulnier’s work (and a critique of the Blue Lives Matter movement that we appreciate), makes for an engaging viewing experience. For fans of “Green Room” and “Blue Ruin” who felt let down by Saulnier’s 2018 film “Hold the Dark”, this is great news! With “Rebel Ridge”, Saulnier has returned to form, delivering a blend of tension and defiance against authority that we’ve come to expect from him
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2024-09-04 19:16