Bleak, dark and British noir, not only in tone but in cinematography, the Red Riding trilogy of films weaves the tale of a hunt to find a serial killer, based on the true-to-life Yorkshire Ripper.
While I only saw the first film, there are in fact three to tell the tale, each named after the years they take place: 1974, 1980 and 1983, respectively. In 1974, an eager young journalist named Eddie Dunford (Andrew Garfield) uncovers the connection between the murders of three girls. His discovery comes when he writes an article about the most recent victim who was found tortured, raped and strangled with the wings of a swan sewn to her back.
She was found on the property of John Dawson, a local businessman, who planned to turn the undeveloped land into a shopping mall. Dunford thinks this is suspicious and begins investigating Dawson. As Dunford consults with the victims' families, his curiosity lands him many beatings and torture sessions with police who do not want the answers of these crimes to surface, bringing with it tales of their corruption.
The scenes of this film are well placed and strategized; they keep viewers on their toes and a little jumpy, unsure of what is going to come up from behind, literally and figuratively.
However, this intellectual approach to plot development can be a little confusing for American viewers who do not understand the terrain or the rituals of Yorkshire and England. The actors' Cockney accent makes it difficult to understand the smaller nuances of the plot and at some points, what the characters are saying altogether.
But despite these technical difficulties, this film does well as an opener to the trilogy. Interestingly a different director creates each film, just as different characters in each installment must come into play to piece together who the serial killer is.
Kelly Kettering is a senior studying journalism. To divulge your own serial killer secrets, e-mail her at kk150206@ohiou.edu.
3 Culture
Kelly Kettering
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Provided
Review
Riding Red Trilogy, Film #1: 1974
Starring: Andrew Garfield, David Morrissey, Rebecca Hall
Rated: Not Rated
Summary: A young journalist becomes wrapped up in a story about a serial killer whose victimes include three missing girls.
