Scottish Noir-Grime and The Red Road Experience

Red Road (2006) continues in the tradition of Trainspotting (1996) and Shallow Grave (1994), as showing Scotland as a very dark and grimy, industrialized land. In recent years this portrayal, has almost spawned a genre of its own. All these films utilize, noiresque cinematic techniques to achieve the feel of a dark city full of questionable hooligans. 

Red Road does a specifically good job with its look.  The footage is far from plainly dark and shadowy. Quite to the contrary, the cinematographer uses a huge pallet of deep unsaturated color to create the effect of darkness and shadow. 

Many instances of color, and cinematic variation occur as we peek with the main character through the CCTV monitors. They prove a great device to add visual effect, and constantly remind the audience of the voyeuristic themes amok. Also, the industrialized landscape provides a tremendous variety of fluorescent glow, which bathes the land. Red Road is Visually stunning to say the least. 

Unfortunately, the writing of the story ruins everything.  The failure of the character's development, despite the length of the film, is nearly intolerable. In retrospect it is this which makes, the equally poor ending, seem even more ridiculous.