Aaron Katz’s first two films,

, are some of my favourite American indie films of
the last five years. Yes, he is one of
the directors (along with
and Joe Swanberg) categorized as

If you imagined what it would be
like to cross mumblecore with a 1970s thriller,
is exactly what
you’d come up with. It is a brilliant idea and the execution is right on the
money. Like other mumblecore films, it is an understated character study, but it
also throws in mystery and intrigue. Doug has moved back to Portland and is living
with his sister. He loves Sherlock Holmes and is working in an ice factory. It
isn’t even fair to give a plot synopsis because plots aren’t really important
in mumblecore but also because this plot is so unusual for the genre. There may
be a missing briefcase, a lot of sleuthing, the pencil rubbing trick, disguises
and a trip to watch whales.

A couple of scenes aren’t paced quite right or seem a
little forced but in general it is sweet and hilarious and totally not obvious.
And, once again, Katz delivers with an ending you don’t see coming (kind of like
that famous Sopranos ending), which is also immensely satisfying.

on Monday, Oct 11th at 1:30pm,
Empire Granville 7 Theatre 2. If you miss that, the good news is that Cold
Weather does have distribution and should get shown again in Canada some time
next year.