Redemption Film Review
Robert Conway's 2009 Western B-Movie is Noticeably Low-Budget
Robert Conway's 2009 Western film, Redemption, is a low-budget B-Movie. In fact, everything about the movie screams cheesiness. It lacks any musical score, its acting is as dead as its background noise, and its cinematography, direction, special effects, and plot reek of simplicity. Knowing all that going into it, Redemption isn't half bad.
Redemption's Plot is Predictable, Easy to Follow
Redemption, written by Robert Conway and John Paul Giago, follows Frank Harden (Dustin Leighton), a mysterious gunslinger hunting down his past. Haunted by his victims, Frank seeks to make right a heinous crime he did nothing to stop. While robbing a Mexican family, Frank's cohorts go beyond his intentions. They kill the family, save for a daughter whom they violate and sell into a life of slavery and prostitution.
Frank, himself, is no nice fellow. However, it quickly becomes evident what Frank so desperately seeks, a chance at redemption. He hunts down his former gang, interrogating them through any means necessary, looking for the girl whose life they destroyed.
Unknown to him, Frank is being hunted by a formidable force. The Apostle, an effective bounty hunter who believes himself to be the right hand of God, is closing in on Frank. The two are also linked by their pasts.
Their destinies lead them to the town of Redemption, a war-torn settlement split down the middle by Civil War factions despite the Civil War's cessation. It is a seedy place that seems to offer nothing its name suggests. But in Redemption, Frank may very well find the redemption he seeks.
Redemption's Acting is Average, a Cast Filled by No-Name Actors
Redemption's cast won't invoke much familiarity. Dustin Leighton's acting roles have mostly consisted of sporadic television appearances and video game character voices. His most mainstream role will likely be the bit part he has in the upcoming Universal Pictures film, Young Americans (2010). Yet, as Frank, Leighton (credited as Dustin James) is surprisingly good. Given the horrific dialogue he must meander through, one might conclude that he is fantastic.
However, Leighton's performance probably seems top-form because it is surrounded by such lousy supporting performances. The Apostle, played by Tom Noga, is a cold killer who uses religion to justify homicide. Noga's performance is purposefully monotone, but given the film's revelations, Noga's monotone quality becomes inappropriately monotonous. The most comically over-the-top performance, however, goes to Clint James, who plays Confederate leader, Captain Till.
Redemption Delivers a Decent Watch Despite the Movie's Many Shortcomings
It's hard to say what is enjoyable about Redemption, yet it is moderately enjoyable. The film's message, performances, and overall quality are weak. But Redemption stays true to the feel of Western cinema from an older day, minus the white hat/black hat dichotomy. Perhaps its strength is that it is pure Western, updated sufficiently for modern-day audiences.
Robert Conway's Redemption (2009) - Film Poster
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