MovieChat Forums > Cold Weather (2011) Discussion > The twist/rewind the tape

The twist/rewind the tape

posted 12 years ago by Never_where
4 replies | jump to latest

just watched this, and really liked it throughout, especially when it picks up momentum towards the end.

Was intrigued by the ending as it was so abrupt....Doug tells Gail that he's going to rewind the tape as there's something she'll like at the beginning, she smiles in a knowing way, and then it ends. That was obviously a reference to the viewer needing to look for a clue at the beginning of the film. So i watched the beginning and two things jumped out: 1) the flat pack coffee table - im sure there's something to do with that, likely it'll tell you true order of the film, ie when you see it assembled and when you don't. 2) Gail is about to tell their parents soemthing and then stops short, seems to me like she was going to tell them about the mystery they got involved in....so id say the beginning was actually the end and id imagine there are other clues to the order of the rest of the film....need to watch it again

"Damn good coffee...and hot!"

[–] NestOfNewts 12 years ago

I didn't think of it like that but you could be onto something.

www.youtube.com/user/DawsonSpeaks85

[–] JayCeezy 12 years ago

Gail's Mom: "It's nice to see you two together again."
Gail: "...we almost..."

At this early point in the movie, you don't know that they are brother/sister. Check out the look Doug shoots Gail. They are far more than normal brother/sister, look at the secrets they keep from each other. Why would the sister ask "are you coming to bed?" And Doug staying out on the couch all night. What brother/sister sleeps in the same bed? This is subtext, but apparently so subtle that most viewers never catch on. The mix tape at the end? Is this something a brother does for a sister?!?!! How about the ex-g/f, asking, "do you like living with me better than your sister?" and Doug says "I don't know?"

Really?!?!! Please, somebody get it already!

[–] dirtballpaul 12 years ago

I too think the last line of dialogue could be the key to the movie, but I can't quite figure it out.

I don't think it is in the opening scene though; I think the clue is in the opening credits. But, again, I can't quite figure it out. (Maybe I need to read some books on code-breaking.)

I don't think we'll ever get a Blu-ray version with director's commentary, so the Internet is my only hope.

The opening credits have a background image. I think that might be the key. What does it look like to you? I see half a face turned sideways. Eyebrows, pupil, whatever you call the white part of your eye. It's on screen too long. Is the director trying to tell us something? Or, is he just getting us ready for the long shots to come. Maybe I'm searching for something that doesn't exist.

[–] kimdealslover 12 years ago

Yeah, you're reading too much into the opening credits. It was just filtering the audience's perception, and sets the tone of the movie. The background image is exactly the same as when the camera focuses - it's the courtyard, seen from the window of Doug & Gail's place.

As for Doug & Gail, they're completely lost in their adult life. They have a close childhood bond, and as we find out with Gail's lack of friends and recent ex, she desperately needs the company. In the end, she gets sucked into Doug's adventure, and the tape/Gail's smile is a subtle nod to them remembering how they used to be (which is hinted at the start, when they have a day out to the coast).

Going back to the flatpack scene, Doug makes a big fuss about knocking the drink back, and Gail only takes sips. This pretty much sums up how their relationship works. He's takes risks, she doesn't. By the end, she's the one who grabs the bag and takes control of the getaway car.

I don't doubt both Doug and Gail are looking for someone like each other, to the detriment of past relationships. It's sort of a bittersweet bond. I do wish there was more to the denouement, though.

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"Now...where was I?"