Watch Red Without Blue

Red Without Blue is a documentary drama film directed by Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills, and Todd Sills. The movie is about the Farley family and their struggles with the transition of their twin boys, Mark and Alex, into adulthood. The film was released in 2007 and is about an hour and a half long. The title of the movie, Red Without Blue, alludes to the classic psychological test where participants are asked to name the color of the font in which a word is printed, not the word itself. The film takes this concept and spins it to reflect the turmoil within the Farley family, where things are not what they seem at the surface level. The movie explores the topics of identity, gender, and self-discovery in a heartfelt and thought-provoking manner.

The film begins by introducing viewers to the Farleys, a seemingly average American family living in Portland, Oregon. We meet Jennie and Claire Farley, the twin boys' older sisters, who tell us about their childhood and growing up with their twin brothers. We then learn that Mark and Alex Farley are identical twins and grew up very close to each other, always exploring life together.

However, as they hit adolescence, things started to change. While Mark began to explore his sexuality and identify as gay, Alex starts to struggle with his mental health. He becomes severely depressed, and as he turns to drugs, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Soon after he turns 21, Alex is arrested for a violent crime and sent to jail.

The film then explores the aftermath of Alex's actions and the family's struggle to come to terms with the implications of his arrest. The family also talks about the challenges they faced in understanding Mark's sexuality and supporting him through his journey. Through all of this, the film shows how the family members find ways to support and love each other, despite the challenges of their situations.

Red Without Blue is a powerful and emotional film that continues to be relevant today. While the public dialogue around identity and gender has shifted considerably in the years since the movie's release, the core struggles explored in the film remain very real for many individuals and families. The film is a valuable snapshot of a particular moment in time, and it provides an intimate look into the lives of a family struggling to support each other through difficult and complex personal journeys.

One of the highlights of the movie is the honesty and vulnerability of the family members. The Farleys open up with remarkable honesty about their experiences, their struggles, and their hopes for the future. All family members are given a voice, and we get to see different perspectives on the same situations, which serves to deepen the emotional impact of the film.

The movie is also visually impressive, with beautiful cinematography that captures the Pacific Northwest landscape in all its glory. The music and sound design are well done, with soundscapes that reflect the emotional experiences of the protagonists. The editing is smooth and well-paced, and the inclusion of archival home videos from the family adds to the authenticity of the film.

In conclusion, Red Without Blue is an essential work of documentary cinema that confronts important themes of identity, gender, and family. Through the lens of the Farleys, the film captures the complexities of these issues in an intimate and honest manner. It is a powerful and moving film that shows how love, determination, and support can help us through our darkest moments.

Red Without Blue is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.