Watch Cold Comfort

Cold Comfort is a Canadian drama film from 1989 directed by Vic Sarin. Set in rural Canada, the movie tells the story of a family struggling to deal with the sudden death of their father. The film stars Maury Chaykin, Margaret Langrick, and Paul Gross in lead roles. The movie begins with the father of the Sloan family dying of a heart attack while working on his farm. His sudden death leaves his family in a state of shock and grief. The father's death has hit his children the hardest; Mary, a teenager who is struggling with her identity and feeling an overwhelming pressure to take care of her mother and younger siblings, David, a young man who left home years ago but comes back to mourn his father's death, and Blair, the youngest of the family, who is trying to make sense of everything.

The family's struggle to deal with their loss is compounded when the bank threatens to foreclose on the farm unless they can come up with the money they owe on their mortgage. Without their father's income, they don't have enough money to pay the bank. This forces the family to continuously fight against the bank, and the local sheriff who is constantly breathing down their necks. This struggle brings the Sloan family closer together and forces them to work together to save their farm.

The story is further developed through the portrayal of the local community, which is a mix of supportive neighbours and people who are quick to gossip and judge. The Sloans' struggles attract the attention of the local gossip, creating rumours and stirring up old grudges. The family soon learns the hard way that not everyone has their best interests at heart.

The movie's themes primarily revolve around the notion of family, loss, and dealing with the consequences of living in a small town. Through the portrayal of the Sloans, the movie highlights how grief can bring people together but also drive them apart. Mary's struggling with her identity while managing her mother's depression and younger siblings is an example of how the family members all deal with their loss in different ways.

The film's cast does an excellent job of bringing their characters to life. Maury Chaykin, who plays the role of the father, gives a powerful performance through both his screen time and the memories that his character leaves behind after his death. Margaret Langrick, who plays the role of Mary, does an excellent job of portraying the complex emotions that come with the sudden loss of a loved one. The role of David is played by Paul Gross, who is able to convey the guilt of abandoning his family while creating a clear character arc that portrays his return as a sign of growth and acceptance.

In terms of the technical aspects of the movie, the film has excellent cinematography that helps to showcase the vast landscape of the rural Canadian countryside. The film's pacing is slow, but this is intentional and reflects the nature of living in the countryside. The slower pace helps to ground the viewer in the world of the Sloans and allows them to feel the way that the characters do.

Overall, Cold Comfort is a moving film that explores the complexity of loss and family, and the social dynamics of a small community. The realistic portrayal of grief and the relationships between the characters make this a movie worth watching. It is a poignant and touching film that is sure to stay with the viewer long after the credits roll.

Cold Comfort is a 1989 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.