Grade: B-
Well, this was simultaneously embarrassing, and an interesting exercise. I watched all but the last 15 minutes of Pawel Pawlikowski’s movie Cold War (nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director) with no subtitles. I didn’t think there were subtitles, and we were either supposed to take this at face value, or there would eventually be English. I just didn’t turn them on.
Still, though, I was able to appreciate a surprising amount. The black-and-white here is gorgeous. The language is beautiful to listen to. With a mere hour and 28 minute running time, it is easy to digest. I was quite taken with the performances, especially Joanna Kulig. The last shot is haunting in its simplicity. I’m glad I knew what they were saying at that point. And furthermore, I liked it better than Roma, in which I read every word that was spoken. Go figure.
Grade: B-
Film Reviews by Mark 
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