Red Riding Hood

There are more than a few liberties taken in this latest retelling of the classic fairy tale. To begin with, most of the story centers on the relationship between Godfrey (Craig T. Nelson) and Linet's (the little red riding hood character, played by Amelia Shankley) mother, Lady Jean (Isabella Rosellini). Godfrey, in the absence of his twin brother (Lady Jean's husband Percival, also played by Nelson) has made a bargain with some unnamed evil power to trade his heart for a man-wolf named Daggar (Rocco Sisto). Still with me? O.k., Godfrey holds the village in thrall, doing mean things, and singing catchy tunes like "The Man Without a Heart" (this is a musical). When he's not whipping peasants, he's wooing Lady Jean. During the film's last half-hour, Linet takes her famous stroll through the forest, encounters the man-wolf in grandma's bed (grandma having escaped), and has her memorable conversation: "Grandma, what big eyes you have," etc. Only, the exchange is absurd, since Daggar is in man, rather than wolf, form during this chat. Credit must go to the Golan and Globus team that run Cannon Films. Unlike others, they consistently try to make non-mainstream movies. But heart does not necessarily produce art; and this Cannon Movie Tale is strong on the former, and rather weak on the latter. Not recommended.