Review: Red Riding Hood (2011)

At first, reading a plot synopsis of this big-screen movie did little to illustrate just what this adaptation of a classic children’s fable would be like. It wasn’t until the promotional clips and material, and TV spots became readily available that it was made clear to just what lengths Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke would take the fairy-tale…

Ever since she was a little girl, Valerie was taught the dangers of speaking with strangers and the importance of being a “good girl.” Even though she really tried, her burgeoning friendship with a boy in the woods has pushed her to break the rules. Life has become mundane for Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) some ten years later. The small village she resides in is anything but satisfying considering everyone knows everyone’s business and her parents (Virginia Madsen, Billy Burke) wish her to marry the successful and studious Henry (Max Irons). It isn’t that there is anything wrong with Henry – he is a gentleman of the highest caliber… only Valerie isn’t interested in gaining his suit but rather that of outsider and orphaned woodcutter Peter (Shiloh Fernandez); her childhood sweetheart. The two lovers have been secretly meeting under the protection of the woods that surrounds the village for years and find themselves planning to run away together, before fate has other ideas. Things are about to change when Valerie’s elder sister is killed by a mysterious wolf – a creature that villagers have held a tentative truce with by offering daily animal sacrifices… and the residents suddenly fear something they cannot see…

Famed huntsman Father Solomon (Gary Oldman) is called about to help rid them of this dangerous predator, but before long, it becomes obvious to everyone that this wolf is out for more than just one death… and by explanation from the huntsman; by day he takes on human form, living among them as a werewolf… putting all their lives in grave danger…

It doesn’t take all that astute an observation to realize this is a dark fairytale with undertones that are much more sinister than the movie touches on. Indeed, most of these are passed over either because writers chose not to explore them for fear of a higher rating, and thus a lesser range of viewers or because they intended to leave suggestions hanging – whatever the reason, the movie tries to remain within a PG13-like zone, but really struggles. Thinking back on the original concept, Little Red Riding Hood isn’t exactly prime children’s reading material – many sensitive children may even have nightmares should the book be read to them before bedtime (i.e., a wolf terrorizing a young girl on her way to visit grandmother). All this movie has done is capitalize on that idea and made it a little more frightening with a grown-up cast, a love triangle and instead of a gray animal wolf, the villain is a werewolf. That last part is the writers merely capitalizing on culture’s obsession with all things that are supernatural beings.  Never did I think I’d have such a close connection or be even mentioning the Twilight film franchise in something I’d actually want to see, but the fact that I’ve liked Amanda in what I’ve seen of her acting and that I am a sucker for fairytales made this irresistible. Its cast is quite impressive – nearly everyone exhibits hints of mystery in their persona; it’s always up in the air as to who you should trust. The wolf’s identity is concealed well, although it wasn’t for lack of making the most obvious choices targets.

The movie starts as a beautiful charming story like any fictionalized tale might and its cinematography is gorgeous. As with everything I may “endorse,” this is not necessarily for everybody. Not everyone will find this entertaining or even worthy of its runtime and indeed, it is very different. The entire movie may be skewed in its morals in certain examples but it isn’t because of the plot but rather that the characters have some screwy ideas – and the ending is about as unromantic as any I’ve seen. I hate to liken anything I may see with those vampire movies, but if you’re a fanatic about the series, then you’ll be likely to enjoy Catherine’s latest young adult movie. It’s a dark fairytale that somehow still manages some touching snapshots amidst the otherwise dreary tale. 

Check out my article in the special edition of Femnista in which, I share my opinions on the twisted relationship between Valerie and Peter. 

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(Content: In attempts to make Peter jealous, Valerie suggestively dances with a female. Peter and Valerie nearly have intimate relations in a sensual scene but are interrupted; they passionately kiss, he grabs at her legs, unlaces the front of her dress and lays her down beneath him  [later scenes show  the pair, obviously naked lovemaking in the snow]. In order to ensure the safety of her brother, one village girl offers herself as barter. One woman’s past is uncovered to have become pregnant out of wedlock. The wolf is indeed a terrifying creature who kills a dozen people in the course of the film [all of which are shot with little blood and the camera cuts away just before impact; there are some implications of torture also, a girl is thought a witch]. One man collects the head of a wolf as a prize of sorts, assuming it is the werewolf.)

Categories: Amanda Seyfried, Drama, Fairy-Tale, Fantasy, Movie, Review

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