Good job

So pleased to find this on Netflix, which means I am finally able to see it! Having read the book years ago I was excited to see it being made into a film, but then the release didn’t seem to be very wide. I’m also biased because I think Ray Stevenson is a good actor and David Oakes is always one to watch. He particularly did a very nice job of modelling early twentieth century fishermen’s jumpers in this too whilst looking wistful and curious around the rocks lol.
I found the film adaptation very good....the whole feel of the film was very beautiful and subtle. The colours, clothing, atmosphere, landscapes and music worked very well together. It was a lovely film to look at, the story was slow and pleasing, any niggles and questions (from my watching partner who didn’t end up liking it because to him it didn’t make sense and there were too many questions!) could be given over to creativity and let you draw your own conclusions; when done well, I like that kind of film. There is room for wham bam Marvel superhero, loud and proud films for example, or films where everything is given over to you on a plate but those films you forget and you don’t have to think much....I like the thoughtfulness of Cold Skin...and in a way, when not blowing the hell out of the sea creatures, the general calmness of it was very inviting.
Maybe I am the kind of person to want to escape to the end of the world too lol. (and why not, if David Oakes was there in a fisherman’s jumper lol?!)
It was interesting as well that there was no actual sex showed in the film, apart from the obvious ruttings of Gruner, which I thought was done well....and again subtly....just the sliding of her webbed hand up his shoulder....did she like it? Did she not? When it came to the relationship between Friend and herself, in the book it’s quite graphic and explained (lots of things going on in his head and how he needs her etc.), but all there was, was a kind of sexy, ‘hey, come swim in my hot tub big guy,’ and the response was a silent....’yeah, ok!’ and then it was all left to your imagination.
There was a rich ‘closeness’ of the cinematography too, which I enjoyed. It almost made it like a play, especially at the end when Gruner and Friend end up in a fisty cuffs fight in the base of the lighthouse.
They did well with the special effects too in general, not too much of it to detract....the sets and scenery were the main feature.
And the end.....a good ending too.