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The Cold Lands

Play trailer Poster for The Cold Lands Released Mar 14, 2014 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
After his self-reliant mother dies unexpectedly, a boy (Silas Yelich) flees into the woods in shock. His nerves worn thin, he encounters a drifter (Peter Scanavino) and forms a wary alliance with the man.

Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Writer-director Tom Gilroy has worked with Yelich previously and makes his youthful character the quiet, watchful center of this 2013 indie drama. May 29, 2014 Full Review Emily St. James AV Club Gilroy takes all of this to a more realistic, more interesting place, and he manages to find an ending for the story that offers a touch of optimism but doesn't feel like a cheat. Rated: B- Mar 14, 2014 Full Review Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com As written and directed by Tom Gilroy, it consists entirely of discoveries. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 14, 2014 Full Review Prairie Miller NewsBlaze Best when dramatizing how the land itself comes alive and serves as a character in its own right, resurrecting the buried history of the US Anti-Rent Resistance Movement of the 19th century. And perhaps a lesson well taught to an endangered rebel child. Apr 16, 2014 Full Review Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A likeable drama about an eleven-year old who survives living on his own in the forest but finds it more difficult to get by when he returns to civilization. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 13, 2014 Full Review Chase Whale ScreenAnarchy Blink and you'll miss a terrific performance from Lili Taylor. Mar 13, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member Although it brings up a few interesting concepts here and there it mainly amounts to stoners talking about the Matrix movies and extremely rudimentary thoughts on simulation theory. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review joe m Good if somewhat slow paced movie that really doesn't go anywhere, but that's the point. Extra kudos for the upstate NY setting. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The slow moving pace just didn't pique my interest. I made it half way through before calling it quits. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is engrossing in every aspect. There was nothing predictable about it, from individuals to landscape. I felt the director/writer's sensitivity and joy of living shining through it in a rare way. This luminous depiction of purpose melting into action is something I will want to watch again- and share with those who may be in need of it, or able to take it in- and not everyone will want to, at any given moment. I would not say it's a family film- it could be very disturbing. The mother played so delicately and movingly by Lili Taylor, took a strongly principled but completely disturbing choice the beginning of the film, one that most parents, including myself, would never make, one that almost breaks the heart. But it is from her tutelage that the boy receives all he needs to make his way, as indeed it is with parents- what we teach or do not teach our children is what they will use to make their first important choices in direction and friendship.So, if you would like to see a masterful and deeply moving film that does not pander to emotional bad habits, that depicts being in the environment as part of our lives, that is full of suspense and challenges a lot of assumptions- check it out. Amusing side- note is the missing soundtrack by Michael Stipe- which apparently only happens on the extras. I loved this film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Cold Lands

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Cast & Crew

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Tom Gilroy

Director

Peter Scanavino

Carter

Silas Yelich

Atticus

Lili Taylor

Nicole

Tom Gilroy

Tom

Maggie Low

Maggie

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Movie Info

Synopsis After his self-reliant mother dies unexpectedly, a boy (Silas Yelich) flees into the woods in shock. His nerves worn thin, he encounters a drifter (Peter Scanavino) and forms a wary alliance with the man.
Director
Tom Gilroy
Producer
Andrew Goldman, Paul Mezey
Screenwriter
Tom Gilroy
Distributor
Cinereach
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 14, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Runtime
1h 41m