Mark Schroeder’s Movie Reviews

Cold War

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Mark

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-

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2 responses to “Cold War”

  1. Bob Marley: One Love – Film Reviews by Mark

    […] English. Nope – it was on me to turn them on, and I just didn’t. The movie in question was Cold War, and I still liked it a little bit. Bob Marley: One Love, on the other hand, is one of the most […]

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  2. They Shot the Piano Player – Film Reviews by Mark

    […] that invested anyway. I’ve brought up my embarrassing “user error” story from when I watched Cold War (I saw most of the movie with no subtitles), and I still ended up recommending […]

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