Cold in July (2014) Keeps you Guessing, Every Month of the Year
Text: There is a movie app that I’ve been using for a few years now that I absolutely love, called “JustWatch“. Not only can you keep a watchlist of movies and shows you want to see, but you can click the icon of any or all of the movie services you subscribe to, and it will search what is available on only those sites. (side note: Plex has recently added this functionality as well). Content on the various services is ever-changing, so having a tool that searches availability in real-time is fantastic. It also does a great job of suggesting similar titles that you might enjoy, which is how I came across today’s film – Cold in July (2014). As a fan of the show “Dexter”, I recognized Michael C. Hall on the movie art, and then saw that Sam Shepard was also featured. Somehow I completely missed Don Johnson, so when he showed up about 1/3 of the way into the film, it was a nice surprise.
Movies that feature twists, turns, and redirecting are among some of my favorites. Being able to successfully predict the direction of the story, or even the ending, is not necessarily a deal breaker, but it is certainly more fun to be caught off guard and surprised. One film I often mention that was well ahead of it’s time in this regard is Witness for the Prosecution (1957) and, if you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out. While I don’t put Cold in July at that same level, this one does a really good job of keeping it interesting. It also tends to be one of those movies that can really trigger you, as some of the subject matter goes into some difficult areas.
It begins with Hall’s character, Dane, being awakened in the middle of the night by strange noises in the family home. Dane and his wife (Vinessa Shaw) get out of bed to investigate, when they happen upon an intruder in their living room. Fear and reflexes take over, the gun in Dane’s hand is discharged, and the stranger slowly slumps down to the floor. We find out that Dane’s troubles are only beginning, however, as the police begin their investigation. What lies ahead for Dane and his family in the wake of this shooting is anyone’s guess.
A very well-done, entertaining film to stumble across while on the JustWatch app, I must say. Very strong performances all-around, but particularly from the late Sam Shepard (who, sadly, succumbed to illness back in 2017 at the age of 73). This story is set in the late 1980’s, which I always really enjoy. Check it out!
Score: 8.1/10
Starring: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, and Vinessa Shaw
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