‘Homeless. Suitcase. Pimp...’
In 2017, Sean Baker brought us The Florida Project. An authentic, gritty but uplifting fable about life on the edge of poverty under the watchful eye of Disneyland. It was compelling, captivating and utterly unique. Usually, before I watch any film, I’ll have a quick look through IMDB to check out who the director is, who the writer(s) are and what they have done previously. Because I arrived at Red Rocket with a particularly savage hangover, I neglected to do this on this occasion. As a result, I spent the entire film formulating this review around the belief that it works as a companion piece to The Florida Project without ever realising that the reason for that is because both films share a director. Absolutely stringent research from me as per usual…
Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) is a down-on-his-luck, former adult film star who arrives back in his home town without a plan, without any money and without a friend in the world. Reluctantly, Mikey’s ex-wife Lexi (Bree Elrod) agrees to take Mikey in provided his contributes to the running of the house. Soon after arriving, Mikey befriends Lonnie (Ethan Darbone) and Strawberry (Suzanna Son) and starts to formulate a dubious plan to escape.
As with The Florida Project, Baker has assembled and eccentric and colourful cast packed with character and personality. Simon Rex, who I hadn’t previously encountered, is a force of nature as our protagonist, veering between an easy likeability and a dark underbelly, sometimes within the same scene. But everyone else here aches of small town frustration and a lack of opportunity. Suzanna Son is a revelation as Mikey’s teenage muse and Darbone carries a quiet sadness and resignation with him as Mikey’s friend and driver Lonnie.
With Red Rocket, Baker has crafted a film that is as indebted to cinéma verité as it is to trashy reality TV shows to create a style that is utterly his own. Never before has an American filmmaker come so close to emulating the kitchen sink dramas of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh. This filmmaker has a Best Picture winner in him. Red Rocket isn’t it, but it is hilarious, distinctive and packed full of heart.