Red Dust

Despite the best efforts of everyone involved with the film, Red Dust is nevertheless one of those movies that tackles a serious and important subject matter – but never quite becomes as compelling or intriguing as we get the impression it’s supposed to be. Set in South Africa during the time of the Truth and Reconciliation hearings (which involved Apartheid-era soldiers and cops admitting their crimes and summarily being absolved of them), the movie follows one such case as a successful politician named Paul Mpondo (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) confronts the police officer who tortured him years before. Hilary Swank stars as Paul’s lawyer, a native of the area who moved to New York long ago (which, I suppose, is meant to explain her complete lack of an accent). Complications ensue once suspicion begins to arise as to whether or not Paul is actually innocent of the crime he was arrested for. Red Dust is undoubtedly a success in terms of providing a brief history lesson of an important moment in South Africa’s history, though there’s a distinctive movie-of-the-week sort of vibe going on here. However, Ejiofor continues to prove that he’s got the charisma required of a leading man, while Hooper does try his best to infuse the story with bursts of style.

**1/2 out of ****