Movie Review - Red Rocket

Sean Baker is a filmmaker whose last films include Tangerine (2015) and The Florida Project (2017). Both those films were about marginalized people, people who are impoverished and struggling to survive in the modern world. Both his films are about people living on the fringes who often have to resort to things like selling drugs or even engaging in sex work. This film is no different. It again focuses on a character who is living on the fringes. The difference between Baker's previous films and this one is that his focus this time isn't on the less vulnerable.

In Tangerine, Baker focused on transgender women of color. In The Florida Project, Baker focused on children, often from broken homes. Here, Baker focuses on a white, heterosexual man who seems to be not a victim of circumstance. He seems to be a victim of his own choices and his own ego.

Simon Rex (Superhero Movie and Scary Movie 3) stars as Mikey, a man who is probably in his mid to late 40's. He comes from Los Angeles, California, to Texas City, Texas, on a bus. He has no possessions, except the minimal clothes on his back. He looks dirty and beat up. When he gets off the bus, he walks to a house on the poor side of town. It's the house of his wife and her mother.

Mikey needs a place to stay because he's now homeless. He used to have a home in Los Angeles, but he lost it and he apparently has no friends there who can help him. It's never explained if he has any other relatives. We never hear about Mikey's parents, siblings, cousins or any other family members. His arrival in Texas City feels like a desperate last resort for him.

Bree Elrod co-stars as Lexi, Mikey's wife. She apparently has been separated from Mikey for a while. She seems to be in even worse shape than Mikey. Luckily for her, she has her mom to give her food and shelter. Yet, it seems as though both of them have been drug abusers. She also has a child of which she doesn't have custody. She hopes to get custody back, but, given her tenuous situation, she can't do so without help.

There have been several films about white people living in poverty. What sets this one apart is the fact that both Mikey and his wife used to be porn stars. Mikey's wife seems to be out of the porn business. Yet, it's implied that she does some sex work still, just not on camera. Mikey would still be doing porn, if he hadn't lost his home in L.A. In fact, he has designs to go back to the porn business. He thinks he just needs new, young talent.

Suzanna Son also co-stars as "Strawberry." She's an underage, red-headed girl who seems to be very promiscuous and very open to Mikey and his charms. She has no problem for example going to a strip club with Mikey and getting a lap dance from one of the strippers. Strawberry works at a donuts shop, but Mikey wants to recruit her to be in porn. She's 17 though and he has to wait until she's 18. He's also lying to her about why he's in Texas City.

This film doesn't have the emotional component of Baker's previous films. Baker's previous films had us care about the characters or at least feel sympathy for them. We rooted for his characters. We wanted them to succeed or achieve whatever they were striving to get, however minor it was. It's not quite the same for Mikey. Yet, it becomes apparent that he's building a house of cards that will eventually all fall down. It's similar to the recent Uncut Gems (2019) in that regard.

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language.
Running Time: 2 hrs. and 10 mins.

In theaters.