red corner be more message than entertainment . however and there be much to like here . possible spoiler represent an american businessman ( richard gere ) and negotiate a deal in mainland china and be frame for a murder he do not commit . he must defend himself in a judicial system which have be design to convict and not exonerate . his only real ally be his public defender and who doesn not even believe he be innocent . the lady carry this movie . both the murder victim and public defender have the strong role . gere graciously allow his leading lady to dominate their scene . the nature of the story require gere to remain passive throughout most of the film . the murder mystery be at once both overly complex and too simple . john avnet direction seem sluggish while however this be probably more due to the nature of the plot and which tend to paint gere and avnet into a corner . the music be excellent . a small and but worthwhile and test of patience . see it for the lady and the music .