Released in America in 2010, Red, White & Blue’s UK release has remained low profile, not surprising for a film shot in eighteen days on a shoestring budget.  Nonetheless, the critical praise it garnered for its realist depiction of ‘American nightmare’ was enough to raise my expectations, though I was only to be disappointed.

The film focuses upon Erica (Amanda Fuller), a young woman with apparent nymphomaniac tendencies, and the tentative bond she forms with a kind-hearted, but clearly sociopathic, new neighbour, Nate (Noah Taylor).  In many respects this thread is the highlight of the film, as Taylor puts in an impressive performance, with a convincing accent to boot, fostering genuine interest in their developing relationship.  Indeed, one can’t help but think that this would have been a far more likeable endeavour had the film continued down this dramatic route. However that was not to be.  The film soon descends into gore, with Nate cast in the role of the bloodthirsty revenger, which succeeds in being disturbing but robs the film of its potential poignancy, and much of it initial appeal.

Admittedly, everything that ocuurs is justified in some form. These are the crimes of a desperate person and there aren't any traditional villains. This creates some interesting ambiguities and evokes real sympathy at times.  Equally, the fitting soundtrack, some memorable dialogue and Taylor’s, aforementioned, stand-out performance all add to the appeal of this film.  Yet the film feels lacking, perhaps this is because, due to unfortunate scheduling, it has come into competition with another depiction of the ‘American nightmare’ in the form of We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011), which manages to be both beautifully surreal and somehow believable, in a manner in which this is not.  Indeed, in such competition, with Rumley’s blatant employment of shock tactics, and some lacklustre cinematography, Red, White & Blue comes out feeling distinctly like a B-movie slasher - a disappointing end to some truly promising ingredients.