Word About Biehn

Deep Red is primarily a character story in science fiction trappings, and since the character it focuses on is played by Michael, it is a satisfying experience for his fans.

Reds are a magical "stuff" from outer space. Entering into a human being, they are able to effect miraculous cures, restore the body to its peak condition, and create unique physical changes. There are two kinds (as I understand it): Regular reds (I guess you could call them), which are derivatives and have a limited life span and effectiveness. And Deep Red, a primary source of reds and, for all intents and purposes, eternal. The question then is asked: To what extent might someone go to acquire the Deep Red and ultimate immortality? That is what Hitchcock would call the MacGuffin of this tale. It is what sets the story in motion, but the consequent moral and ethical questions that might have been the focus of the film are pursued only superficially. Instead, the Deep Red is used primarily to draw our hero in, to place him into a situation of personal significance and crisis.

Joe Keyes (Michael) lives in torment over his failure to protect the wife and daughter of his good friend, police detective Mack Waters, who now hates him. Blaming himself and haunted by memories of the tragedy, Joe has isolated himself from his friends and his wife (Joanna Pacula) and refuses to handle any security work of a domestic nature.
That is, until he's drawn into the threatened lives of Mrs. Rickman and her daughter Gracie, who harbors the coveted Deep Red in her system and is thus the target of an obsessed scientist, whose thirst for immortality and the power over it have driven him to the brink of madness.

Joe's efforts to save them reunite him with his wife, who is protecting them, and force him finally to face his demons and the reality of what happened. They also bring him into personal contact with reds, which become his ally of sorts in his struggle.

The film is generally enjoyable. It is well-acted throughout with okay writing that in places tends to use very expository dialogue. The editing is at times confusing, particularly in the beginning, and I do wish the direction had allowed for more of a reaction from Joe when he discovers that another little girl has not died while in his care.

Michael's performance is understated and effective. He has a knack for making the viewer feel with and for his characters. Joe's dejection, self-blame, and hopelessness are apparent in his demeanor, and they are believable. Yet I don't find myself frustrated with him for self-pity. Instead I sympathize with his tremendous caring and the fact that when his help is needed, he sets aside self-concern for the well-being of others. As the reds heal his body, ultimately his experience with Gracie, the keeper of the Deep Red, heals his spirit.

Kay