The Red Arrow

Written by Mark Rodney, Ronald Wenick, Anat Golan

Warning – This review contains spoilers

The Red Arrow takes you through the tumultuous life of a talented musician and con artist Red Rodney whose questionable decisions blur the lines between his art, personal life, and criminal undertakings. Set against the glamorous yet gritty backdrop of 1960s Las Vegas, this story manages to feel both expansive and intimate, offering a whirlwind of musical highs, personal lows, and a gripping father-son dynamic that keeps the emotional stakes high throughout.

I found the structure of the screenplay to be fascinating in how it layers Red’s backstory with the events leading up to his eventual arrest. As Red lies unconscious in a hospital bed after being brutally beaten by Officer Albright, the screenplay shifts into a series of flashbacks, unraveling the decisions and deceptions that led him to that moment. From Red’s early days as a young musician playing with the likes of Charlie Parker, to his spiraling descent into drug addiction and criminal schemes, the story flows naturally. The father-son relationship between Red and Mark is at the emotional heart of the screenplay, and though Red’s character development takes time to fully reveal itself, it’s ultimately satisfying when he decides to take responsibility for his actions.

One thing I appreciated was the pacing of The Red Arrow. While the script is packed with action—from heists to impersonations and run-ins with the Mafia—the quieter moments, like Red’s few strained interactions with his son, provide necessary breathing room. These scenes effectively ground the story in emotional truth, even as the larger-than-life scams and Vegas nightlife take center stage. Red’s interactions with his ex-wife Norma and his new romantic interest, June, add further layers of tension and conflict highlighting the ways his personal and professional lives are constantly at odds.

The Red Arrow is well-written, though there are a minor formatting issues that took me out of the story for a moment. Specifically the transitions between flashbacks and present-day moments could benefit from clearer headings to guide the reader. However the dialogue is sharp and well-suited to each character, capturing the era and the unique personality of Red as both a smooth-talking con artist and a man haunted by his failures. The balance of humor and drama works well particularly in the scenes involving Red’s musical performances with Sammy Davis Jr., which offer a brief respite from the darker elements of his life.

The screenplay is rich in its portrayal of Las Vegas during a time when both the music industry and organized crime were at their peak. The world-building feels authentic with the inclusion of real-life figures like Howard Hughes and Sonny Liston adding a layer of historical intrigue. The Red Arrow is not just a story about a man’s mistakes; it’s also a commentary on the pressures of fame, the cost of ambition, and the price one pays for trying to outrun their past. That said, I think the ending, where Red faces the difficult decision between saving his own life or returning to save his son, is where the screenplay shines the brightest. The moral dilemma felt earned, and it added a level of depth to Red’s character arc that made his final choice feel impactful.

The Red Arrow tackles fatherhood, redemption, and the consequences of one’s actions, and these elements resonate strongly throughout the screenplay. Red’s journey is not just about escaping the law; it’s about coming to terms with the ways he’s failed as a father and trying to make things right, even if it’s too little, too late. Watching him evolve from a man solely focused on his own desires to someone willing to sacrifice for his son adds a much-needed emotional depth to the chaotic world of cons and crime that surrounds him.

I believe audiences would enjoy this screenplay during a table read. It’s got everything you could want in a biopic—drama, suspense, humor, and heart. The musical elements provide a fun, rhythmic contrast to the darker moments, and the story keeps you guessing, especially as Red’s deceptions grow larger and more dangerous. The Red Arrow is a compelling look at one man’s attempts to reconcile his talent with his flaws and make amends with the people he’s hurt along the way.