Red Corner is a big disappointment. Crafted in fine style with polished photography of exotic and sumptuous locations, the script is so poorly constructed it seems to have been trampled on by a hoard of Red Guards.
    Richard Gere plays an American executive Jack Moore visiting China to complete a television distribution deal with the  government. There are forces that oppose the content of the American programming that Moore's company is offering, but his relationship with the minister almost assures that the deal will be successfully completed. To sabotage the deal, Moore is set-up with an attractive model. Of course, if he doesn't pick her up the plot goes to square one, but the writers never take that and many other false elements into consideration. After a night of pleasure with the beautiful Oriental woman, Moore awakens covered in blood and surrounded by police. He is whisked off to prison amidst  protests of innocence.

     Next, Red Corner takes aim at the Chinese judicial system, depicting it as nothing more than a sham to protect the government interests. True or not, the film makes its points in heavy-handed fashion. Moore's assumed rights are ill-defined and there is little that the American diplomatic authorities can do to help. The film turns another corner when Moore is assigned counsel by the court. She's another beautiful Oriental woman for Moore to get involved with, this time on a more emotional level.
     Characters are inconsistent and motivation is highly unlikely, but the actors try hard. Richard Gere is fine as Jack Moore. It seems his only mistake is having taken the role. Bai Ling is delicate as his Chinese lawyer, but her performance is too stiff. Byron Mann plays ambitious Chinese television official Lin Don with a bit too much enthusiasm.
    Could everybody in Red Corner be sporting intense tans? I doubt it. It appears that skin tones are far too red. Aside from that qualm, Red Corner is an excellent DVD presentation. Small details in street scenes are in focus and close-ups reveal every pore of skin. Darker scenes when shadowy deeds are done reveal the filmmaker's vision. The Dolby Digital 5:1 sound  very fine handling directionality and clarity with equal ease. The music is open with great space around it. Bass reproduction is solid and powerful.