Thursday 3 July 2014

Film: 'COLD IN JULY'

While watching this I was thinking what a good film it was, a thriller with real punch! Coming home while reflecting, and now the morning after, I'm a little bit more ambivalent (reasons upcoming) but it's still darned fine.

First of all, high marks for the storyline which veers off into unexpected by-ways, such that it's difficult to say a lot without giving too much away. Then there's the quality acting by all the main players, each being well-differentiated and played with real conviction and credibility.

It begins simply enough, though troubling, when an intruder is heard in the house of Michael C. Hall and his wife  - (plus infant son, wouldn't you guess!) His fumbling to load his gun and his nervousness in confronting the burglar reveal his practical inexperience with firearms. All that can safely be said is that much of what follows hinges on the true identity of the imposter, the attitude of the small town where it occurs, and the family being menaced because of it. This is only the start of a twisty road.

For much of the first hour of this Jim Mickle-directed film I was on the edge of my seat. The tension worked up from the outset is held exceedingly well, only slightly relaxing after this point, but  then gripping again as the conclusion approaches. 
It's set in 1989, and we are given evidence of the period in large mobile phones and the presence of videos, on which we see one especially appalling violent incident (only just cut away a split-second before it happens) which, I feel, has almost scarred my mind. 
The style of the film reminded me a lot of the 'glory days' of Sam Peckinpah - bullet-riddled, blood-drenched, and with the occasional obligatory slow-motion shots of violence. At the time (1960s and 70s) he was the only major director doing it and was accordingly criticised for giving physical violence a veneer of beauty, a quality which (they claimed), it doesn't intrinsically possess (which itself is debatable). Then everyone started emulating Peckinpah and blood and guts has become standard fare for a number of today's directors, Scorsese (at least in his films of old) and Tarantino being most prominent. However, in this film the excesses do seem to hark back particularly to those past days of no-holds barred, show-it-all-on-screen, blood-fests.

Sam Shepherd and Don Johnson do sterling service, the former as a most unappealing and scarily volatile ex-con, the latter as Texan lawman and pig-farmer, complete with gaudily embroidered shirts and high boots -  so red-neck, so camp!. Also notable is Michael C. Hall's shakiness with guns at the start transforming into assuredness as the film progresses.

I could have done without two too-appropriately timed thunderstorms to underline the action. Such uses have long since become so hackneyed, indeed ever since the invention of film sound, that I find them every bit as distracting as over-emphatic soundtrack music, of which there is also quite a bit here.

I ought to mention that I heard one reviewer say that the American (pro-gun) NRA would give this film their seal of approval. I think that's far too simplistic an interpretation. If anything, I think at heart it depicts, in a most direct way, the destructive mayhem that easy access to firearms can bring.   

Despite my reservations, I'd argue that this is a good, unusual film. My immediate feeling of satisfaction when it was over of having got my entertainment's worth led me to think that I'd be awarding it a lofty 7.5, but pondering afterwards on the feeling that it had all been a tad over-manipulative I feel bound to mark it down a notch or two. It's another one that requires warning for those of a sensitive nature, but if you feel you won't be put off by its graphic, visceral thrills I would urge you to go see......................6.5.



12 comments:

  1. not for me Im afraid. if you don't see me for a few days we don't have any internet at the cottage and I rely on wifi at inlaws houses, so don't worry. and when I say cottage, that makes it sound nice looking. it isn't. and its bloomin freezing lol

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    1. No, I know you enough by now, Sol, to realise that you would probably not enjoy this one.

      I myself are also going off shortly (only next Mon to Fri) for annual visit to my sis (9 years elder). Though I never look forward to it, not because I don't want to see her, I do, but because it's always so much trouble - packing, travel, the cats etc. But it sounds like I'll be having more 'fun' than you, with your disconnection from the world and your discomforts. Good job it isn't real Winter, even though it might feel like it for you. Try to have a 'nice' time - and we'll see you later when it's all over.

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  2. A great review..I will go and see this one me thinks

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    1. I think you'll find it'll have been money well spent, J.G. As I say above, some of it is quite strong stuff but if you've got the stomach for it then do give it a go.

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  3. May I add you to my spiffy new blog roll that Urspo helped me set up?

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    1. It would be an honour, F.B. Thanks for including me in the privilege. Much appreciated.

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  4. I've just sat through 5 series of 'Breaking Bad' - not all at once, I have a life - I can do this! Thanks for the review, I'm not easily swayed but the pull of Don Johnson in a cowboy hat is just too good a prospect to pass up!

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    1. Not seen 'B Bad' myself, N.G., so can't comment on that (not a great TV viewer, I'm afraid), but this film I can certainly recommend, despite my reservations - and it ought to work almost as well on a telly screen where, I assume, you'd be watching it. It's really quite a small-scale drama, if big in conception - and Don Johnson pulls the eye like a magnet.
      Thanks very much for visiting.

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  5. You're welcome, Raybeard and my sister loaned me the boxed set of BB because until then, I was borrowing from the library but there was always such a waiting list for it, I got fed up waiting! The library's a great source for DVD's. I'm picking up 'Dallas Buyer's Club' tomorrow - have you seen it?

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  6. At your service, N.GG - Dallas Buyer's Club:-

    http://raybeard.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/film-dallas-buyers-club.html

    Btw: I'm unable to play DVDs, this computer being practically prehistoric now. Probably one for the future.

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  7. Ray,
    I like a good thriller but draw the line at excessive violence. I would rather a good script that bloog and guts splattering across the screen in lieu of a good script.
    Thanks for the warning.
    Ron

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    1. Ron, it's a pity that were it not for the graphic violence it would still hold up as a high quality, original, unusual thriller. But it really does have to come with a warning to 'those of a sensitive nature' (which would have included me did I not have to keep reminding myself that it's all tricksy camera work and fake blood. But there you are - you either take it or leave it.

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