Tomato Red
Where to Watch Tomato Red
Tomato Red is a dramatic thriller, a quintessential small-town narrative with exemplary performances from Julia Garner, Jake Weary, and Anna Friel. Released in 2017, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Daniel Woodrell, best known for also penning "Winter's Bone" which also starred Julia Garner. The movie is directed by Juanita Wilson, an Irish filmmaker whose deep interest in examining the social fabric of overlooked communities anchors the plot and the vivid visual aesthetics.
The film revolves around the theme of the American Dream—an elusive concept that the characters of the movie relentlessly pursue. The viewers are introduced to Sammy Barlach, played by Jake Weary, a drifter wandering the back roads of the Ozarks, possessed of a reckless courage and a criminal past. Sammy embodies the desperate pursuit of happiness that can sometimes lead us farther from our goal. He is hope embodied, both shattered and unyielding.
Julia Garner, known for her familiar roles as an outsider from Ozarks in TV series like "The Ozark," plays the role of Jamalee Merridew, a red-haired fiery spirit with ambitions that supersede the boundaries her small-town life has thrust upon her. Jamalee dreams of a different life, filled with wealth and high societal standing—her modern, youthful version of the American Dream. Despite her dreams residing in a world that appears unattainable, she refuses to let the constraints of her reality deter her pursuit.
Her brother, Jason Merridew, is portrayed by Nick Roux. He is a man of peculiar beauty, struggling with societal norms and personal identity. His character arc offers a poignant exploration of a life lived on the margins, filled with its woes and rewards. Anna Friel plays their mother Bev, a hardened woman grappling with the implications and tribulations of a hard life, unfulfilled dreams, prejudices, and betrayals.
The lives of these characters intertwine in a profound narrative that showcases the quintessential struggle of the have-nots against sociopolitical structures and deep-seated societal prejudices that constantly push them back into the margins they are trying to escape. Tomato Red is gripping in terms of its exploration of hope and desolation, freedom and shackles, innocence and loss, all set in the backdrop of the picturesque Ozarks.
The film also delves into the concept of family—not just as a biological construct but as shared experiences and mutual support against a world that refuses to grant them their fair shot at happiness. The exploration of these relationships—their strength and their fragility—forms the emotional core of the movie.
Juanita Wilson's direction shines in its raw honesty and the deliberate pacing that allows the viewers to inhabit the moments. She does not shy away from the grittier aspects of this story, nor does she over-dramatize them. Instead, she presents the lives of the underprivileged inhabitants of rural America in a truthful, sometimes harsh light. Her spherical storytelling also envelops the viewers in the characters' lives, encouraging them to think and feel.
In addition, the acting performances in the film are commendable. Jake Weary captures the essence of Sammy with an array of nuanced expressions that reflect an internal struggle and a hope that refuses to extinguish. Julia Garner once again proves her versatility as an actor with her portrayal of Jamalee, embodying the defiance, vulnerability, and the fiercely burning dream with a spark that lights up the screen.
Overall, Tomato Red is a compelling exploration of dreams and disappointments, of societal structures that firmly maintain the classes, and of the human spirit that refuses to let these classes define them. It is a film that refuses to let the viewer remain a distant observer, instead pulling them into its narrative, into the struggles of its characters, and making them question while they feel and live their story. With beautiful cinematography and sensitive storytelling, it is indeed a film for the discerning audience that appreciates the quiet drama of the human condition.
Tomato Red is a Drama, Thriller movie released in 2017. It has a runtime of 112 Critics and viewers have rated it moderate reviews, with an IMDb score of 5.7..
How to Watch Tomato Red
Where can I stream Tomato Red movie online? Tomato Red is available to watch and stream, buy on demand, download at Amazon Prime, Plex, Apple TV, Amazon, Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Tomato Red for a limited time or purchase the movie for downloading.