Red Wing (2013) User Reviews

Raised her own husband

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 27 June 2016]

Although a George Sand novella is the basis for Red Wing, in real life there was another Frances who fulfilled the same function. Bachelor Grover Cleveland was made guardian of his late partner's nine year old daughter when Oscar Folsom was killed in a carriage accident. When she came of age, Cleveland married Frances Folsom and she became the first lady and he became the only president to marry in the White House to this day.

Like Cleveland raised his own wife Breann Johnson raised her own husband who grew up to be Glen Powell. And quite the hunk he grew up to be with a James Dean type swagger. Married to good ole boy redneck Luke Perry and living with his mother Frances Fisher, Johnson takes a liking to the six year old orphan kid with a black foster mother that rent a trailer on their farm.

It takes a lot of years but Powell and Johnson find themselves and let the gossip mongers know they've been gossiping about the real deal.

Red Wing is an interesting film shot in Texas where the story is located and has some interesting characters in the background, not all of them stereotypes. Luke Perry takes acting honors, he's miles different here than Beverly Hills High hunk Dylan MacKay from his glory days in 90120.

This one's worth a look.

Good, honest filmmaking!

[Christopher_F_Smith · 7/10 · 22 January 2015]

Yep. I liked this one a lot! Touching and honest and without all the regular blood-n-guts you see in lots of movies. Just regular folks having a tough time navigating family, faith, and True Love! Sure, there are some tense moments but nothing too extreme.

With so many big names, it's really no wonder this film is such a fulfilling watch! Bill Paxton does the "concerned father" thing so well and you really find yourself sharing in his emotions and concerns. And the young woman playing the lead actress was so great! She was elegant without being too fancy and was so easy to understand and relate to. And you'll probably recognize Luke Perry who does a great job of being a tough-as-nails cowboy. It's a love Story at it's core and shows that sometimes True Love is really hard!

Set in a beautiful farm country (I'm guessing Texas?), the blue skies and green fields make for a comfortable and familiar setting and you can almost see yourself out there assuming that you are not from a big city. Great locations all around, actually.

I really liked the acting and thought each actor brought something earnest and pure to the roles. Again, nothing crazy or over-the-top; just... I don't know. Regular? It was believable, I guess is what I'm saying. It portrayed the circumstances without making it too crazy.

This is a great movie to watch with your family (ages 12+ I'd guess) or maybe with a bunch of girlfriends with popcorn and your PJs on!

I found myself rooting for Love to find it's Way! But you'll have to watch it to see if it Love wins in the end!

Unusual love story that packs emotional punch!

[heather-donnell · 10/10 · 15 January 2015]

If you're looking for a twist on the traditional romance, you'll love this film. The story will tug at your heartstrings, yet feel realistic regarding the complications that true love brings. Lots of sweeping cinematography and exciting performances make a memorable movie.

All the actors were wonderfully directed with delightful performances by Bill Paxton, Frances Fisher, Joelle Carter, and Luke Perry. I especially thought newcomer Breann Johnson was so charming as the main character of Maddie. She struck just the right notes of a strong, likable woman yet still uncertain of herself. That's a difficult balance, and it was so convincing!

Learn what it means to follow your heart and be inspired by this movie!

Bill Paxton was the only redemption in this badly paced,

[LilsZoo2015 · 1/10 · 20 September 2015]

horribly acted, mess of of a film. SPOILER ALERT: the so-called twist is more of a trick then anything else, that the orphan (Frances) and the Mother (Maddy) had lust for each other from the get go, which is poorly drawn at best in the beginnings of the movie so that the ending (and I mean the last 5 minutes of the movie) finally comes to a morally disgusting head with the two leads dancing in front of the townsfolk at a wedding and then getting married themselves. And suddenly this town who hated on Frances from the start now accepts the two as a couple.(?) When a 6 year old child is raised by a 20 year old Mother, even though not related, it is still incest, I don't care how old you get. Marriage does not change that.

A unique love-story

[jea8052003 · 10/10 · 2 November 2014]

I am such a fan of this film. I get so tired of the romantic comedies or other love stories that have an unrealistic portrayal of what a love story should be. This particular plot line follows Francis Riley (played by Glen Powell) who is brought to live in a trailer with his foster mother in Whitewright, Texas. The property that the trailer is on is owned by a husband and wife, Carl and Maddie Blanton (played by Luke Perry and Breann Johnson). Carl and Maddie have a tumultuous relationship, Francis Riley grows up to be a stud-muffin, and (without giving too many details away) the story progresses into a beautiful love between two people. No steamy sex scenes. This film is appropriate for all ages, and it has a simplistic beauty that I as an audience member want to see in a film.

Great!

[torrankitts · 8/10 · 25 December 2014]

While definitely not the standard type of film for the teenage demographic (myself), there was something about this love story that captivated me, and speaks to all audiences. Besides being beautifully shot in a setting so breathtaking you could point an iphone at it and call it cinematography, a talented cast really brought this narrative to life for me. This unique and at first unsettling tale of two lovers was compelling enough on its own, but stand out performances from Frances Fisher and Joelle Carter as the love story foils also caught my eye. This turned out to be the perfect cathartic type of family for me and my family to watch over the holidays. Not over-cheery, not over- dramatic, just real and compelling!

excellent.

[luciahorstmann · 10/10 · 12 November 2014]

increible! A film worth to eulogize.

Definitely the forcefulness, intrigue and argument cause the desire to watch it again. There is an ''intrahistoria'' (as we say in Spain) hidden behind each character that contributes to its excellence and provokes mixed feelings.

Rather unpredictable from the beginning to the ending credits, it is noticeable the hard work that stays behind this greatly interesting movie. The atmosphere, the environment, and the situation in which the main characters have found themselves causes a truly stunning effect.

A love story highly recommendable.

A film of gentle and true integrity

[westerlydonohue · 10/10 · 5 July 2023]

This was a beautiful film to watch. I did not know the novella upon which it's based, but I will read it now, for sure.

It is 2023, a decade since the movie came out, and it has stood the test of time. All of the actors put in stellar, deep performances. The plot could have gone wrong at so many points, and I found myself making assumptions that did not hold up. It is a gentle, and thorough, examination of love. You could snicker it's a cougar film, or you could think the character Francis has a mommy fixation. But no, it is about real, enduring love...It also examines forms of love, I.e., selfless love, friendship love, erotic love, without being graphic.

Kudos to all the actors; moving performances by all. The interplay of race, class, and sex are all on display, reflected by the craft of the actors and the skill of the director, Will Wallis, and Cinematographer Wyatt House. A rich and serious screenplay by Kathleen Orillion.

I was just going to add that the actor who played Francis Riley, Glen Powell, reminded me somewhat of another young actor, Canadian Phillip Lewitski, who was co-lead in a First Nations 2-Spirit coming-of-age and love story that was also complex and beautiful, Wildhood (2022). Both are superbly crafted films dealing with the complexities of what the heart wants. Now, I just can't wait to read the original Sand novella Red Wing was adapted from, The Waif.

Excellent

[hrrwtjdx · 10/10 · 11 March 2022]

Twisted but believable. This movie will take you on an exploration of love and moral ground! Would love to see what Patricia Carpenter has in store for us next!

Heart-warming film

[lmmorganelli · 9/10 · 31 October 2014]

Red Wing is a beautiful, heart-warming film set in wholesome Texas. It stars both well- known, talented actors and new, up and coming beginners that truly shine in their roles. The actors did a splendid job at portraying the simple, yet complicated personalities of each character. The storyline is wholesome, pure and a welcome change from the endless other films playing today that are saturated with the same plots and intense love scenes. Red Wing tells a different type of love story- it's a chronology of changing, unexpected love over time. The lead actors did a great job of carrying the audience through every emotion, helping you to "live" the pain, heartache, joy, and completion of Maddie and Francis. This film is highly recommended. It is appropriate for all viewers and is touching. Red Wing leaves a lasting impression on its audience and represents the real meaning of love. I would love to see a sequel to this soulful, passionately made film.

A nontraditional love story

[MitaD2309 · 9/10 · 11 November 2014]

I'm so happy Red Wing was recommended to me to watch. It was such a beautiful nontraditional love story.

The directing and acting were fantastic. Frances Fisher and Bill Paxton are always a pleasure to watch and Luke Perry did a really nice job with "Carl Blanton". I wasn't too familiar with Joelle Carter's work before watching this but now I'll keep an eye out for her.

It portrays the true destruction that can occur when someones heart becomes hardened and the communication gets lost. I love to watch films that you can learn from and this is one of them!

A great film to watch with your loved ones.

pathetic

[Kirpianuscus · 19 August 2019]

I am not a fan of romantic films and, maybe, this "pathetic" can be not fair. But, for me, "Red Wing" is a good film in its first part and result of unrealistic story in the second. Sure, it is not original but the idea of incest and the not most inspired use of the story of George Sand are the lead sins. The good points - the performances, first breann Johnson, frances Fisher , Luke Perry and Austin Harrod. Not the most inspired option - Glen Powell. But, in essence, a good try.

Tale of true love

[mmoneill0279 · 9/10 · 2 November 2014]

Beautifully told, heart warming tale of how true love can be discovered in the most unlikely places and can prevail against all odds. Set in the breathtaking Texas landscape, Red Wing is a story of a young orphan boy's journey to find a home, self discovery and love. Gorgeous landscapes, stunning cinematography and brilliant directing make this a movie that will melt your heart.

The cast pours themselves into there roles & deliver some impressive work.

Sit back with your someone special, relax and enjoy.

Definitely a film to add to you list!