Winter Passing

It's not often that I have to stop a film to take a breather because I am convinced if I continue to watch it to the end, I will end up with my head in the oven. Winter Passing is just that sort of film.

I normally enjoy films with this type of feel. Flawed people quietly going about their lives usually as a really cool soundtrack plays. I can overlook a lot of flaws with these films like factual errors and unrealistic plots (My Life Without Me) or somewhat clumsy application (Down to the Bone), and honestly, I didn't hate Winter Passing. The protagonist is obnoxious and kills little kittens. The rest of the cast of characters are nuts or unlikable. Will Ferrell breaks from his usual type cast and plays a slightly dim, over-sized oaf. Yet, after a few hours break, I went back and finished the film.

Was this because I am a masochist or was I secretly hoping to see another disturbing sex scene between the protagonist and her metro-sexual boyfriend? Maybe both? Sometimes the best films aren't "feelgood" movies. Explorations into negative emotions is sometimes what makes a film worth while.

But this film grates against some major sensitive spots for me. Regret about family involvement (or lack of it). The declining lucidity of a parent. Grief. Self-loathing. Did it help shed new light on these things for me? Not really, but I did spend a lot of time thinking "Oh, God! Ed Harris is so old now".

I ended up giving it 3 out of 5 stars on Netflix because despite what was wrong with it, it was a beautifully shot and acted film and the soundtrack was wonderful.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0380817/