If Cold Souls was in the New Zealand Film Festival program, it would be listed in the ‘In Praise Of Slow Cinema’ section. The pace of the story stumbles along at an excruciatingly snail like pace – to the point where you’re tempted to check your pulse to make sure you haven’t ventured into a film induced coma. But there is something about this pondering fable about the folly of dabbling in the unknown, something that seeps into you, claims your attention, envelopes you in it’s mysteries. It’s something that you just can’t put you finger on, but something you know you have to discover.
To call Cold Souls a comedy, as is quoted repeatedly on the DVDs case, would seem to me to say that the reviewers concerned haven’t actually seen the film, or maybe they themselves have traded their souls for the soul of someone else.
Who knows. One thing is for certain, however, this film about a troubled actor – Paul Giamatti playing himself – who goes to have his soul removed to help free himself for a difficult acting role raises a myriad of ethical questions that engages your brain and focuses you so intently on the story in a way that makes watching this damnably slow film through to the end, an incessant necessity.
Another thing that makes Cold Souls a film that you just can;t stop watching, is the outstanding performance (one again) by Paul Giamatti. His performance as a neurotic, troubled New York actor is sheer brilliance, and his is supported by a very capable cast that breath a certain life into this woeful tale that is still rattling around in my head.
Approach with caution – this is a film that will entice some, and rightly so, for it is in many aspects a masterpiece. Others however will be left scratching their heads to the extent that they will need to purchase some regain. FILMGUIDE rating: Reviewed by: Jonathan Read Release date: May 13th, 2010 Stars: Paul Giamatti, Emily Watson Length (Minutes): 90 Languages: English Director: Barthes, Sophie Studio: Madman
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There is something about me..
