By Malice Intended

Sticking to your strengths can sometimes prove detrimental to your career.  Just ask screenwriter/director Kevin Smith.  His 1995 debut, Clerks, instantly made him a darling of the independent film movement.  The insightful Chasing Amy only enhanced that image.  Those early works established View Askew productions as a brand to watch in coming years.  In the last decade, his attempts at artistic and commercial growth have been met with indifference by critics and audiences alike.  As a result, his films have become increasingly self indulgent and lacking in ambition.  His cult has dwindled to a gaggle of faithful acolytes who reject the notion that he’s lost his mojo.

Instead of retreating to the familiar waters of his raunchy “View Askewniverse” comedies, he is trying his hand in the horror genre.  In the upcoming Red State, he tells the story of three young men who enthusiastically respond to an online ad from an older woman looking for a good time.  What looks like the sexual escapade of their dreams is actually a trap set by fundamentalist extremists looking to punish “sinners” for their wicked ways.  The film stars Michael Parks and John Goodman.

If the premise of the film makes it sound like yet another entry into the torture porn and slasher genres, the trailer all but confirms it.  The creepy voiceover is right out of the exploitation film handbook.  The images themselves lightly recall any number of recent tragedies involving religious extremists and cults.  They too have a hint of exploitive zeal, playing like deepest, darkest fantasy of a bible thumping lunatic.  Regardless of what kind of reactions it evokes, Red State appears to be quite unlike anything that Kevin Smith has attempted before.

Whether or not this is a step in the right direction for Smith is anyone’s guess.  Jersey Girl, Zack and Miri Make A Porno, and Cop Out were also departures from his usual fair.  Neither film had the impact that was intended.  While his attempts to grow have been largely ignored, his usual fare has curried increasingly less favor with casual fans.  While his standing with critics and peers has taken a beating, the fact that Smith is still making movies at all speaks to his resilience as an artist.  He keeps on doing his thing, regardless of the fallout.  Perhaps that is what endears him to his most die hard supporters.  Even if Red State isn’t the vindication they are hoping for, it will definitely diversify the Kevin Smith brand.

[pro-player width=’425′ height=’344′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EySpZ_BXtxw[/pro-player]

Follow Us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/planetill

Follow Malice Intended on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/renaissance1977

Join Us on the Planet Ill Facebook Group for more discussion

Follow us on Networked Blogs