Movie Breakdown: Red Rocket

Pre-Screening Stance:

The talented Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project) is the main brain behind Red Rocket, and that’s reason enough to see it. Though, to be fair, even if I didn’t know he was the writer/director here, I’d be in on the film just because of its bonkers trailer.

Post-Screening Ramble:

Red Rocket is something else. The film follows a shifty hustler by the name of Mikey (Simon Rex) as he rolls back into his hometown of Texas City, Texas. For some odd amount of years, Mikey has been a pornstar in LA, but through no fault of his own (or so he says), that’s all fallen apart and the only option he has left is to move back in with his estranged wife, Lexi (Bree Elrod). Of course, she wants nothing to do with him, but Mikey is quickly able to talk his way into her home. He also moves equally quick on landing a gig selling weed, taking advantage of anyone who will give him the time of day, and wooing a young lady who calls herself Strawberry (Suzanna Son). Mikey, frankly, is a trashy person involved in trashy things, but Simon Rex’s energetic, hyper-mouthy approach to the character allows for him to be weirdly likeable. There’s also just something compelling about Mikey’s frantic shuffle to get back the life he lost (or squandered). Here’s the deal though, despite all the bizarre charm and humor that Red Rocket holds, it’s not something that’s going to land for everyone. Mikey’s relationship with Strawberry, one that involves him (a guy in his 40s) trying to convince her (a 17-year-old) that she has what it takes to be a pornstar, feels particularly scummy in what’s an already scummy movie, and it’s hard to imagine that not being too big of a hurdle for some.

Your mileage may vary on this one. Red Rocket hits theaters this Friday, December 17.

One Last Thought: