Coldwater (2013)

Directed by: Vincent Grashaw
Country: USA

Movie Review: “Coldwater” is a wishful but conventional grim tale that depicts the story of Brad Lunders, a teenage boy who is sent to a juvenile rehabilitation center located in the middle of nowhere. Colonel Frank Reichert, a retired Marine with no scruples, supervises the place, making the inmates’ lives into a hellish nightmare. His correction method towards readjustment goes from physical work, sleep deprivation and severe punishments, to a revolting negligence in cases of sickness or injuries. Concerning this last aspect, he uses Dr. William Jenson to cover up his slips on violence and careless mistreatments. At the same time, we are presented with flashbacks that despite helping us understand the reasons that led Brad to the facility, also breaks the flow of happenings. The last part of the film is particularly violent, however is also what saves the film from the accommodation evinced in scenes and postures that everybody identifies from past movies. Even with technical and structure fluctuations, such as unarticulated narrative and several too dark images to be fully enjoyed, “Coldwater” had the merit of conveying the message loud enough to turn our eyes into the problem and think about it. Debutant actor P.J. Doubousqué, Ryan Gosling’s young lookalike, had an acceptable performance without particularly standout from the rest of the cast’s youth, while James C.Burns played the tyrant Colonel with conviction. This was the first feature film from Vincent Grashaw who had participated as an actor in the obnoxious “Bellflower” from three years ago.