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How they've spun this out to last for 2 hours is beyond me .... I binned it after 50 mins ... its a borderline peado film.... did they class this a comedy? Its more like a drama ... and after 50 mins nothing much has happened other that a middle aged man grooming a school leaver.

Before I go on to talk about the negative, let me say that the movie was beautifully executed. Directing was good, acting and cinematography was good. But I have never left a movie theater early in my lifetime until today (my boyfriend stayed until the end so I know what happens). This is a movie about a narcissist with no redeeming qualities who almost never suffers the consequences of his actions. For starters, about an hour in I didn't even want to watch it anymore, because the main character was SO unlikable that it wasn't enjoyable. Secondly, *spoiler and TW alert* the movie primarily centers about him being a 40 year old man manipulating a junior in high school to do *. He's doing this the whole movie, including in the middle of what is graphic sex scenes between the two characters. And it's presented as a comedy. The content of this movie actually made me quiver, and the audience? They were laughing. Because that's how it was filmed. As beautiful as this movie is, I think ultimately it's going to only do harm in the long run. This movie is a manual for how to be a narcissist and essentially includes pedophilic * scenes. From the creators of The Florida Project, which had content that was so beautiful and considerately presented, I'm beyond disappointed.

6/10 - Simon Rex proves that he is certainly an actor capable of drama films and someone to take seriously, but as the credits abruptly began to roll, I could not help but ponder what the meaning of the film was and why I spent over 2 hours investing in it.

Red Rocket was mostly a psychological horror experience for me personally since I am a * performer of 12 years and related to WAY TOO MUCH with main character Mikey Saber. For brief moments, I was wondering if Sean Baker had been lurking my career and was pulling details from it, but, realistically I know that's VERY unlikely. That aside, I am very confident that I'll never be on Mikey Saber's level (so low) otherwise. Mikey Saber is a fully despicable lead character. This is definitely one of "those" movies. There aren't really ANY characters that are quite likable - each one only adds to the pileup of utter discomfort. To me, that's this film's primary strength - it is extremely discomforting and remains consistently throughout it's rather lengthy runtime (perhaps a little too long considering it is nearly plotless and there's really no conflict until the final leg of the film). Simon Rex does a great job with the character and definitely puts in the strongest performance in the movie. Everyone else is sufficient but not super memorable (well, ok, Suzanna Son is really memorable too). The movie spends a lot of time focusing on Saber's efforts in "making it happen" with an underage girl. Things go further than I expected and it certainly adds to the discomfort and the "cringe value" of the movie, which I can only imagine is what Baker wanted to make people feel. I am about 100% sure this element of the movie will rub a lot of people the wrong way, and may cause some "controversy" or general distaste towards the movie. The movie is not immensely funny but it does have plenty of legitimately comedic moments sprinkled throughout. I had my chuckles here and there, but out of the entire row of people sitting behind me, I don't think I heard a single one of them make a peep once - that in itself was kind of disturbing. It definitely seems like Sean Baker either did his research or simply has always been paying attention to the * industry. I did enjoy all the legit name drops and industry references. "Remember the time Kristina Rose almost broke it off?" In the end, the movie really made me just wonder what made Sean Baker feel inspired to tell THIS story specifically. It does kind of feel like a pretty odd way to follow up The Florida Project, which seemed to have so much heart in it - it was so endearing. This one mostly feels seedy through and through. I didn't really find that it had much that would ever make someone want to watch it more than once, nor did I find much of a message in it, but I did like it for its commitment to being exactly what it is - and that's a daring, trashy, absolutely cringe-inducing movie that makes straight male pornstars seem like the scum of the earth.

I looked up Red Rocket on Urban Dictionary and hahaha isn't that an accurate movie title. Man oh man Sean Baker, you are quite something. Just like Florida Project, this was a gorgeous and phenomenal movie. Simon Rex was a force to be reckon with. There wasn't any moment where I was bored with the guy. The dialogues along with his incredible charisma propelled the pace of this movie to become exciting and a bit anxiety-filling. Even more, he made what already a great script more investing. The cinematography again was out of this world. A poor neighborhood in Texas somehow looked like a dream world. Again, Sean Baker used the bizarre colors, cute shapes, and isolated locations of the houses to suggest a fantastical and ambiguous interpretation of the story. I think for this part, Red Rocket had a slight edge over Florida Project because the ending in Red Rocket was smoother and made more sense. Overall, an absolutely magnetic movie. 9.5/10.

I really enjoy independent cinema, and I understand it's not for everyone. That's why it's independent and not the usual bluff stuff coming from Hollywood. Red Rocket is a masterpiece because it's raw, cruel, funny and creepy. All mixed and set in Texas. Script is good, acting is superb (coming from mostly unknown cast) and the settings are perfect. So, overall a good slice of independent cinema. Don't expect your usual blockbuster here.

Director Sean Baker follows up The Florida Project with a more darker comedy Red Rocket. It is another film with several amateur actors and characters living in the lower end of the socio economic scale.. Set in 2016 in the background of the Presidential election campaign. Mikey Saber (Simon Rex) is a washed up * star who had been turfed out from LA and is returning home to a small town in Texas. Mickey needs to get back with his ex wife Lexi or he will be homeless. She initially does not want him but Mickey manages to worm his way into the house and promises to pay his way. His mother in law is happy with that. Unable to find a regular job, Mickey is selling weed to earn a living and skim a bit on the side. The amoral Mickey sees a way back to the big time in Hollywood when he comes across pretty 17 year old Strawberry who works in a donut shop. Mickey is taken in by Strawberry and thinks she is a natural * star. Hoping to be her agent and manager. Mickey plans to manipulate Strawberry to a life of *. First by making her fall in love with him. Simon Rex certainly turns up the dial and energy as Mickey. Ever optimistic, charming, lying and scheming. In short a parasitic hustler. He is a born survivor who only cares about himself and getting ahead at the expense of others. The parallels to Donald Trump are obvious. Red Rocket has a warped charm about it. You never once root for Mickey, feel appalled that he is hoping to get rich by grooming a young woman into *. Even their affair is icky but legal in Texas. The age of consent there is 17. I got some gratification when his plans went awry as many in the neighbourhood were on to him. I doubt Mickey will ever not be narcissistic.