As the finale of the Three Colors trilogy, 'Red' had a lot to live up to.
Valentine (Irene Jacob) is a student who also models. After accidentally hitting his dog with her car, she meets Judge Kern (Jean-Louis Trintignant) , a retired judge who spies on his neighbors. Valentine is disgusted by this revelation but discovers that there is more to this sad old man.
One of Valentine's neighbors is a young man named Auguste (Jean-Pierre Lorit). He is in a relationship with a young woman and is about to take an exam to become a judge. In many ways, his life parallels the early life of Judge Kern. Hmmm.
How will these storylines play out? You'll have to watch!
This entry splits the difference between 'Blue' and 'White' in terms of approach. It is leisurely-paced but things do happen. Like the former film, it is littered with symbolism and arresting visuals. Expect important objects/scenes to be bathed in a red hue. Like the latter, it deals with interpersonal deception and betrayal.
The film is populated by people who are isolated in their own ways. Some are alone by choice, some by circumstance. This premise gives a lot to work with, considering the color red in the French flag is meant to represent fraternity. What better way to proceed than with characters who have more in common than they initially realize?
Best of all, this film ties a number of threads from the other films. Remember the elderly person trying to recycle a bottle? That is dealt with. The climax also (abruptly) brings the main characters back from 'Blue' and 'White' in one convergent scene. Maybe this is done indelicately, but things are wrapped up.
Jacob and Trintignant make a nice pairing here. This is the first film of the series that feels like it has multiple main characters. There is growth to go around.
Special features include: insights into the film, a conversation with Irene Jacob, another cinema lesson, commentary, interviews, behind the scenes, Kieslowski's filmography and 'Red' at Cannes.
'Three Colors: Red' was the most widely celebrated of the three films, earning Kieslowski multiple Academy Award nominations. The director announced it as his final film, which was correct as he died shortly thereafter.
Everything in the trilogy is worthwhile, but the grand finale might be the most well-rounded film of them all.
Rated R 99 minutes 1994
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