"Cold in July" review

A slow burn Neo-noir, Texas-style!

When I saw “Drive” with Ryan Gosling, I was initially entranced by its mood, music and volcanic violence.  Soon afterward, questions began to burble up in my mind, and I realized that although I enjoyed the film, its flaws outweighed its cool factor.  “Cold in July” is similar in many ways:  it also has hastily sketched characters, a great soundtrack and gushing geysers of blood.  Thankfully, this film's brooding tone is lightened by a liberal layer of ham and wry.  "Cold in July" is a southern-fried popcorn flick, but consarn it, it’s a good ‘un!

Michael C. Hall plays Richard Dane, a frame shop owner who fatally shoots a burglar in his home to protect his wife and young son.  This incident lights a fuse leading to multiple boxes of shit, the only question being when each one will explode.  I admire Hall’s attempt shed his serpentine "Dexter" skin by choosing to play a much more wholesome and ethical character, but Hall's emotive range still feels very limited and the one-note performance threatened to flat-line my interest.

Then Sam Shepard appears, and things perk up immediately.  All Shepard needs to do is level his stare and I am petrified.  As ex-con Russell, Shepard is not a father figure to fuck with, especially when he has vengeance in mind.  The economy of Shepard’s acting is astonishing, and his presence casts an aura of inescapable doom.  Don Johnson round outs the roguish trio with puckish amiability as Jim Bob, the pig farmer and PI for hire.  In defiance of the advancing darkness, Jim Bob adds just the right dose of humor.  His quips are like sparks from a campfire, and the twinkle in Jim Bob's eye says; "Saddle up, hoss!  We’s a-gonna have us some fun!"

Richard Dane just wants to be left alone, but his earnest efforts to keep his family safe only arouse further assault by the rattlesnakes nest of criminal forces that Dane has unwittingly provoked.  However, Dane cannot ride this trail alone, and the local police merely make matters worse.  Therefore, Dane must ally himself with Russell and Jim Bob and together this unlikely posse sets out to expose corruption and execute justice.  Though the final act is awash in aortic explosions, the climax is an emotional killer because it confronts us with the most heartbreaking decision that any father could be compelled to make.