RED RIDING TRILOGY — ★★★ — Compilation of three mystery-thrillers; not rated, probable R (profanity, violence, torture, gore, sex, slurs, vulgarity, nudity, brief drugs); Broadway Centre
The so-called "Red Riding Trilogy" is made up of three features that were originally produced by BBC Films and which were slightly expanded for theatrical release.
Locally, the Broadway Centre Cinemas will show the three films in one program, for one ticket price. (That exact price was undecided at press time.)
The "trilogy" is interconnected and loosely based around real-life events, which inspired crime author David Peace's trilogy of books.
These adaptations feel almost epic, even Dickensian in their scope and tone.
And despite some occasionally overreaching moments and a few inconsistencies (the plot becomes a little hard to follow), the films all feature strong performances and have their rewarding aspects, despite the dark material.
Speaking of which, the trilogy may remind some audiences of both the similarly disturbing 2007 thriller "Zodiac" and the well-regarded HBO series "The Wire."
Each part is referred to by the year in which they occur. "In the Year of Our Lord: 1974" follows a young reporter, Eddie Dunford (Andrew Garfield), who's been assigned to report on the Yorkshire Ripper case — a gruesome series of rape, torture and killings of young girls.
In the process, Eddie uncovers a conspiracy involving crooked local cops and a connected developer, John Dawson (Sean Bean). And he becomes involved with Paula Garland (Rebecca Hall), the mother of one of the victims.
"In the Year of Our Lord: 1980" picks up the events six years later and follows Peter Hunter (Paddy Considine), a detective from a neighboring community who's been asked by outside officials to look into the Yorkshire police force's handling of the high-profile case.
While Peter has made some headway, someone involved has discovered his earlier indiscretions. And that may prevent him from revealing some of his incriminating information.
And "In the Year of Our Lord: 1983" has two central characters. Attorney John Pigott (Mark Addy) is filing an appeal on behalf of a man who was convicted of some of the Yorkshire Ripper murders.
At the same time, a Yorkshire detective, Maurice Jobson (David Morrissey), has become tired of the various bunglings and cover-ups and is determined to bring the real culprit or culprits to justice.
Morrissey's character appears in all three films, though he's not the only one who makes multiple appearances. (Bean shows up semiregularly as well, as do British character actors Peter Mullan and Warren Clarke.)
And even though the three parts were directed by different men — "1974" was made by Julian Jarrold ("Becoming Jane"), "1980" was done by "Man on Wire" documentarian James Marsh, and "1983" is the work of "Shopgirl" director Anand Tucker — they feel pretty cohesive.
Of course, they were all penned by screenwriter Tony Grisoni, a frequent collaborator with Terry Gilliam.
The weakest of the three may be "1974." It has a very unlikable hero in Garfield, who comes off as too smug and abrasive.
The later parts are better, at least in part because we can sympathize with Considine's flawed but determined cop and Addy's redemption-seeking attorney.
"Red Riding Trilogy" is not rated but would probably receive an R for strong sexual language (profanity, vulgar slang and other sexually frank talk), strong, often-disturbing violent content and imagery (automotive mayhem and killings, including violence against women and children, much of it implied or seen in passing), scenes depicting torture and violent interrogation (some involving police brutality), bloody and gory imagery, simulated sex and other sexual contact, derogatory language and slurs (mostly based on supposed "disabilities," sexual orientation and sexual identity), other off-color references, female and partial male nudity (including nude photos), and brief drug references. Total running time: 305 minutes.
e-mail: jeff@desnews.com