Matthew Bright directs Reese Witherspoon, Kiefer Sutherland and Brooke Shields in this US indie that warps the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” into a Jerry Springer / National Enquirer odyssey.

Scrappy and deranged. This was the first movie I noticed Reese Witherspoon in and she is the anti-Tracy Flick here. It is a really high energy, ballsy lead turn. I kinda wish she still seeked out material with this level of edge. Kiefer is equally good as the big bad wolf. A Ted Bundy inspired monster who grows more grotesque with every appearance. Small portion though. It ain’t a perfect movie. Some of the best moments are in the girl’s reformatory which is a detour from the main hook. But it has a DTV rebel energy that recalls Corman and Meyers without the leering male gaze. This goes for troubling over salacious and is all the better for it.

7

Perfect Double Bill: Freeway 2: Confessions Of A Trick Baby (1999)