Cold in July (2014)

When a protective father meets a murderous ex-con, both need to deviate from the path they are on as they soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche.

Director:

Jim Mickle

Writers:

Nick Damici, Jim Mickle

Stars:

Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson

1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vinessa Shaw	...	Ann
Michael C. Hall	...	Dane
Ken Holmes	...	Burglar
Nick Damici	...	Price
Brogan Hall	...	Jordan
Rachel Zeiger-Haag	...	Valerie
Lanny Flaherty	...	Jack Crow
Kristin Griffith	...	Kay
Happy Anderson	...	Ted
Sam Shepard	...	Russel
Kris Eivers	...	Detective
Joseph Harrell	...	Officer Kevin
Joe Lanza	...	Officer #1
Soraya Butler	...	Female Officer
Wyatt Russell	...	Freddy

Storyline

A terrified man Richard (Michael Hall) accidentally shoots a burglar inside his house. He is assured by the cop (Nick Damici) that it was purely self defense n the burglar was a wanted fella. Richard shaken by the experience n not proud by the incident, visits the cemetery on the burglar's burial day n gets confronted by Ben, a paroled convict n the dead burglar's dad. Ben indirectly threatens and praises Richard's family pic which he saw in the newspaper. The cops cant arrest Ben as he hasn't done anything n cant give Richard official police protection..

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | neo noir | blood | blood splatter | murder | 

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Taglines:

How many men can one bullet kill?

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Genres:

Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R18

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jim Mickle stated that he had difficulty getting the film made--it took seven years from when he first read the novel. The first draft of the script, a verbatim copy of the novel, was 220 pages long; from there, Mickle and Damici edited the script down to a more manageable size. The final script was also the furthest from the novel, but they felt it was closest in spirit.

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Goofs

When Dane replaces the bloody sofa, his wife says she doesn't like the pattern because she wanted a floral print. We then see them both in a furniture store trying out a floral-print sofa. But later in the movie we see them both sitting on the "ugly" one she didn't like, and in a scene after that, they're on the floral print one.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ann: [urgently whispering in the dark] Richard. Richard.
Richard Dane: [stirring awake] Yeah?
Ann: I think I heard something.
Richard Dane: [runs to a box in the closet and shakily loads his gun] Stay here...

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Connections

References The Master: Max (1984)

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Soundtracks

That's What Your Woman Is For
Written by Johnny Salisbury
Performed by Johnny Appleseed
Courtesy of Fervor Records Vintage Masters

User Reviews

Good run through with a bit emotional detachment

The story line is simple and clear but not completely convincing in all aspects. But the screenplay is the one that makes to hold on to the movie till the end without letting you think about the logics. The music and some of the performances like Sam Shepard's have been partners to the screenplay.

But towards the end of the movie, You think about Richard's involvement to the plan is so lightly touched making the characterization contradictory to itself. A citizen with clear records, a responsible family man who tries to safe guard the family under any circumstances turns out to be warrior keeping aside the family for a while. That itches a bit ! Doesn't it.

Other than that, it is a movie that you can watch for once without much regrets.

Details

Country:

USA France

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 December 2014 (France)

Also Known As:

Chłód w lipcu

Filming Locations:

Kingston, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,317, 25 May 2014

Gross USA:

$427,418

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,547,630

Company Credits

Production Co:

BSM Studio, Backup Media, Bullet Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1