October Gale, 2014.
Directed by Ruba Nadda.
Starring Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman, Tim Roth, and Callum Keith Rennie.
SYNOPSIS:
A doctor takes in a mysterious man when he washes ashore at her remote cottage with a gunshot wound and soon discovers that his would-be killer is on his way to finish the job.
A doctor grieving the death of her husband heads to an isolated island where a family cottage is located; while going through the belongings to be packed away, she experiences a series of flashback which indicates a close and warm relationship between the spouses. Bad signs occur like the motorboat needing to be prepared, the loss of a cell phone reception and the oncoming storm. A thumping noise and the search for the source of it leads to a gunshot victim who has crawled his way into the dwelling place.
In order to survive a partnership is created between the widow and her visitor who is being hunted which gives a Rio Bravo (1959). The number of cast members is kept to the minimum which results in an opportunity to get to know the characters; however, it also contributes to the stage play quality to comedy. The tale nearly wanders off as an older woman having an affair with a far younger man, thereby, becoming a Harlequin Romance.
How practical is it to fire a rifle at close range is rather debatable. The chemistry between Patricia Clarkson (The Station Agent) and Scott Speedman (Underworld) is more lukewarm than hot. Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) does his best to make himself appear to be menacing which raises the stakes as death seems to be a certainty with him around. The contained setting contributes to the thriller aspect which is overshadowed by the drama. October Gale travels familiar ground with familiar results.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★★★/ Movie: ★★★
Originally published September 10, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
