Based on the novel of the same name, written by Joe R Lansdale, “Cold in July” stars the likes of greats Michael C Hall(“Dexter”) as Richard Dane, Sam Shepard(“Mud”) as Ben Russell, and Don Johnson(“Django Unchained”) as Jim Bob Luke. Let us not exclude Vinessa Shaw(“Side Effects”) as Ann Dane, Wyatt Russell(“This is 40”) as Freddy and Lanny Flaherty(“Men in Black 3”) as Jack Crow.

As the film ended, I could not help but wonder just how faithful to the book Screenwriters Jim Mickle(also credited as Director) and Nick Damici actually were. It would seem to be a mildly negative outcome for either proposition. If it WAS faithful to the novel, then the novel was incoherently written and if it was a departure from the novel, it was a poor decision, which all but ruined a promising start to the movie.

When Richard Dane is the focal point of the plot, Hall delivers great intrigue and unbeknownst charisma, which just seems to come naturally for him. However, when the focal point shifts to Ben Russell, Shepard’s lack of emotional context and inability to generate sympathy for the audience redirects the whole film in a negative way. Don Johnson as the sparky, comic relief yields minimal recovery by the time he enters the fray and when the story ends, all you are left with is an unnecessarily bloody taste in your mouth and no real closure to the story.

Admittedly, “Cold in July” is in no way attempting to tell a new story, but the sudden, abrupt turn in the plot makes little sense, at least within the framework of a film and an otherwise solid acting performance by Michael C Hall becomes obsolete. If I could speak with the Screenwriter OR the Author, I would ask him, “Where did the original story go?”

By the way, the secondary characters in the movie bring almost nothing substantial to the story. Just be prepared for some nice thematic lighting effects and clever original music, relevant to the time period of the story (1989), as well as a few shocking moments of gore, which sadly might just be a redemptive quality for some viewers.

Director: Jim Mickle

Producers: Linda Moran, Rene Bastian, Adam Folk, Marie Savare

Screenwriters: Jim Mickle, Nick Damici

Starring: Michael C Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, Vinessa Shaw, Wyatt Russell, Lanny Flaherty

Distributor: IFC Films

Release: May 23^rd, 2014