Red Victoria
So what images come to mind
when you think "Zombie flick"? If you are like me you picture a mass of
humanity roving aimlessly with vacant stares and
slow, shuffling strides.
They wear ragged clothing and the only emotion is a guttural moan from
time to time. This is what I used to think; and then I
met Red Victoria. This film
does for zombie's what Silence of the Lambs did for your average
psycho. It gives us a character version that is smart,
sophisticated and wickedly
cunning. All with a slight hint of seduction, and if you dare say so, likeability.
That is important to a genre that before
possibly only appealed to
a select group of film goers. But Victoria, even though you know she has
to be vile and wicked at the core of her motivation,
is at the same time endearing.
She's the bad girl that you can't say no to And this makes her appeal to
the viewer much wider and for the other
character's, far more dangerous.
The film is about Jim (Anthony
Brownrigg). He is a nice guy who writes nice stories. Nice stories that
don't sell. So when he is prompted to pen something in the horror genre
it is clear he doesn't have the guts for it. What he needs is a muse. What
he gets is something far more than your
average inspiration partner.
He gets Victoria (Arianne Martin). Dressed in a red and black bustier with
a voice and manner that is cool and even, this
Victoria's secret is that
while prim and proper on the outside she is all zombie at heart. The problem
is that by the time Jim realizes this, the darker his world has become.
He now has to find a way to write his story while saving his friends from
Victoria's calm, but brutal wrath.
This film is not only a boost
to the Zombie genre but the Indie film world as well. As the credits role
you see the same 3 or 4 names appear for everything. When Arianne isn't
on camera she is probably holding one up. Likewise, Brownrigg not only
writes, directs and stars in the movie he is
associated with everything
from wiring to lighting to catering. It is the heart and soul of the Indie
world. All hands on deck and everyone do what needs to be done for the
finished project. There is no room for pampering. But many times with a
limited staff the final outcome suffers. Not the case here. Red Victoria
stands her ground as a solid piece of movie making. New comers like
Edward Landers show that untapped talent combined with a heart for acting
can bring about a stellar performance. Landers plays Jim's best friend
Carl who is a horror aficionado and is thrilled to have a real zombie in
their midst. He is the comic relief and adds much humor to each scene he
is in. But the unarguable star of this endeavor is Mrs. Martin. She truly
makes her Zombie smooth and sophisticated and hopefully a prototype for
the female living-dead of the future. Sometimes it is as subtle as a tilt
of her head or turn of the body. These actions give Victoria the personality
that you remember. But under that seductive smile and twinkle in her eye
is a sinister brooding. It is a darkness that deepens as the film progresses.
And Arianne moves through each level perfectly.
Red Victoria is not
yet rated but does contain adult material. Though comedic at times and
often tongue and cheek it is a horror film. Some mild adult language and
scary images make it geared for older audiences. I highly recommend you
seeing this film the first opportunity you get. Granted it will be in limited
viewing due to its Indie nature but keep it on your radar. I would be surprised
if this isn't picked up soon and marketed to more theaters. It deserves
its shot at larger audiences. I give Red Victoria a well earned
4 out of 5. It is a positive improvement for the genre and an impressive
venture for the Indie realm.
Matt Mungle (2/13/08)
Matt is a member of the North
Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and co-hosts a weekly radio feature,
The Mungles on Movies, with his wife Cindy.
For additional reviews,
interview clips and great DVD giveaways, visit the website www.mungleshow.com"
Review copyright 2008 Mungleshow
Productions. Used by Permission.
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