NURTURE VS NATURE // A FILM REVIEW OF "THE COLD LANDS"

BY LIZ WHITTEMORE

Working with your best friend can sometimes be a time bomb waiting to happen. In Tom Gilroy’s newest film, THE COLD LANDS, that is anything but the case. Written and directed by Gilroy, it is a journey of a young boy named Atticus. He is being raised to live “off the grid” by his single, diabetic mother Nicole. Skillfully played by Lili Taylor, Nicole brings Atticus up very much in the vein of folks in The Catskills, even today; home schooled, up cycling, paycheck to paycheck, and in some ways completely anti-government. After her sudden death, Atticus ventures off on his own, into the woods, using the skills his mother has ingrained in him. Eventually he comes across Carter, a pot growing jewelry maker who lives in his car. Both Atticus and Carter are intrigued by one another and they travel together for the rest of the film, each taking an interest in the other’s ingenuity. 

There is something so incredibly elegant about watching the collaboration of two people who know one another so well. Gilroy and Taylor are professed best friends in real life. They met with each other as Gilroy was developing the script, casually having coffee that they had already planned on having. In my sit down interview with the two, you could feel a palpable respect for each other’s process. Tom explains that he took Lili’s lead when writing dialogue for Atticus. The two had a theatre company together some 20 years ago. I asked if that inherent intimacy that stage acting allows you to have with someone had helped in the production. They agreed immediately, explaining how, during the course of their friendship, they each have directed the other with ease and trust.

The young man who plays Atticus is newcomer Silas Yelich. Gilroy found him in a local Catskills church production. The two worked one on one for twice a week for 14 months prior to shooting and it shows. Yelich nails this role with a natural talent that is rivaled by few in this industry. I predict big things for this kid, if he so chooses to continue on this path. Carter is played by Peter Scanavino (Happythankyoumoreplease, Frances Ha). I actually thought that Tom wrote the role specifically for Peter based on his personal background. However, Scanavino briefly studied Russian Lit in Boston, delved into the NYC acting scene on Broadway, left the industry, went to culinary school, and finally came back to acting. This eclectic resume and made him perfect for the role of Carter. He navigates the role with a familiarity and grace that is mesmerizing. And of course, Lili Taylor (Almost Human, The Conjuring, Mystic Pizza) .Taylor is a resilient mom with strong beliefs and a heart that shines from here to kingdom come. Although she is not in the entire film, her presence sets the tone for who Atticus is, how he thinks, and who he will become. Her nature as a mother is so genuine and the balance between teacher and nurturer is effortless.

The Colds Lands is like a beautiful spyglass into a world that city dwellers may never truly understand. Each moment, each shot carefully illustrates both the landscape and Atticus’ state of mind. The film is a complete breath of fresh air.

Liz’s Grade: A

Written and Directed By: Tom Gilroy Starring: Lili Taylor, Peter Scanavino, and Silas Yelich Runtime: 101mins Not Yet Rated

BOTTOM LINE: Stunningly shot, gorgeously acted, honest flowing script.  Peak into a world through a different kind of child’s eyes.