-Written by Kyle Bain.
A high-profile murder trial has just gotten under way, and a young model named Kelly-Anne (Juliette Gariépy) has found herself obsessed with the case. Now consumed by the case, she will spend her time fixated on each of its many details. Red Rooms tells a compelling story, one that dictates the dangers of obsession.
The film quickly moves viewers into the courtroom, expressing that, at least to some degree, Red Rooms would be a courtroom drama–which is something that I’ve grown incredibly fond of recently. Like just about every court case in history, this one begins with a statement from the judge, and then opening remarks from individuals on either side of the case. Nothing about this is doctored up, nothing fabricated, nothing out of the ordinary. I mention this because it creates a genuine sense of realism that’s necessary for viewers to become invested in the film and the story as a whole. There are moments later in the film that seem to veer from realism just a smidge. I felt that Red Rooms, while adhering very closely to this court case throughout, there are moments in Kelly-Anne’s story that seem far-fetched, and maybe a bit out of character for a film of this nature.
With that being said, however, Red Rooms begins with hard-hitting drama, and there are moments like this throughout the entirety of the film. The most effective moment is one of the opening statements in the courtroom.
The opening remarks by Maître Chedid (Natalie Tannous) are long, drawn out, and the perfect way to introduce a series of characters that would exist throughout the course of this story. For more than five minutes she speaks, describing in horrifying detail the crime that was committed by the man in question. Viewers are forced to hear of the horrific acts that have occurred, and they are blood curdling. Red Rooms sets the tone early, and while, again, I felt that there are moments when things felt a bit fractured, the depth of emotion remains ever present.
It’s a unique take to have a model become obsessed with a murder trial. Not to say that this hasn’t happened in the past, but rather a character like this has the means, time, and ability to accomplish all that she’d like to. She’s set up in a very specific situation, where she does have time on her hands, where her personal goals do somehow align with the physical nature of the crimes committed. I’m truly intrigued by this idea, as I feel that Writer-Director Pascal Plante makes a brilliant decision in using a character in this particular field to lead his film.
Red Rooms is twisted, daunting, difficult to stomach, but it’s one of the best things that I’ve seen this year. It’s well acted, powerfully relevant, emotionally spectacular–and just about every bit of this film works.
Written & Directed by Pascal Plante.
Starring Juliette Gariépy, Laurie Babin, Sasha Samar, Samir Firouz, Sébastian Beaulac, etc.
9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW
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