Aaron Katz's mystery-thriller-comedy-mumblecore film, COLD WEATHER, follows recent college drop-out, Doug, shortly after he leaves school, where he was studying forensic science in hopes of becoming a detective like Sherlock Holmes, and returns to Portland to live with his older sister, Gail. In Portland Doug reconnects with an ex-girlfriend, Rachel, and lands a job working in an ice factory where he befriends Carlos.
COLD WEATHER is a slow moving film. The first 40 minutes meander from one scene the next as we get to know the characters and are introduced to their lives. Then something happens (and I'm being vague in order to avoid spoilers) and the film moves towards the mystery and then thriller genres - though I use those terms lightly.
Katz does not build COLD WEATHER like other movies. It is full of conversations and scenes that do little to move the plot forward. Inane things like waiting for a mixtape to rewind or forgetting pipe tobacco and stopping at a gas station to buy it are usually left out of movies; they offer little in the way of character development or plot advancement. But COLD WEATHER thrives on these small details and scenes. David Foster Wallace used to call these details the irrelevant complexity in life. Most artists shy away from them; however, there is a boldness and veracity when they are captured and portrayed well.
In the end COLD WEATHER is a movie about Doug and Gail's relationship. The mystery/thriller aspect is actually the subplot disguised as the main plot.
I am looking forward to another viewing and to more of Film Club watching this movie so that I don't have to be so careful in writing about it.
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Last Night (2010)
LAST NIGHT is about a (more or less) happy couple who each end up spending a night tempted by another person. It flirts with complex questions of fidelity, love, guilt and honesty in a grown-up and real way. It is well-paced and well-acted leading viewers up to the moment when each character has to decide how far they are going to go.
This is an intelligent film that far surpassed my expectations on almost every level and is probably closer to the truth than most films with similar themes.
Convo Catch-up:
Oh, guess there isn't much.
Lisa, how's NC? Going to have any time for us again soon?
Jeffrey, sorry I can't make DRIVE. Let's definitely plan on THE IDES OF MARCH. Hope classes are going well.
Christopher, I watched the first episode of WEEDS this season but haven't gone back. Eventually I'll download them all. In my opinion, seasons 1-3 were amazing - funny yet culturally and socially poignant. It's been steadily downhill since then. I'm also looking forward to BOARDWALK EMPIRE. You're right in saying it's one of the best shows on TV right now, though I'd have to give the "best" nod to TREME.
Jason, I'm still looking for a way to see QUIET CITY. Maybe I can find a cheap DVD copy somewhere. Watch COLD WEATHER.
Brandon, hope the tour is going well. I listened to the entire TEAMWORK album twice last night. I'll support your Kickstarter project as soon as I have some extra cash (or any cash, really).
John, have you seen this? Oh no...
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