Cold Creek Manor (2003) - Film Review
Quaid, Dorff, & Lewis Shine in this Well-Crafted Thriller
Sep 30, 2009
It is never smart for city folk to travel out to the country in thrillers or horror films. From Arachnophobia to The Messengers to a substantial portion of Stephen King's novels-turned-movies (e.g., Misery), the clash between urban and sub-suburban often results in hardship and death. For the Tilson family in Cold Creek Manor, their move away from city life has frightful consequences. And their danger equals good movie fun.
A Simplistic Story, Cold Creek Manor Is Well-Crafted, Keeping Somewhat Within the Realm of Credibility.
Cold Creek Manor tells the story of the Tilson family and their purchase of a run-down, country manor. Cooper Tilson, a documentary filmmaker played by Dennis Quaid (Switchback, Vantage Point, Horsemen), dislikes city life. After his son, Jesse (Ryan Wilson), is nearly squashed in aggressive New York City traffic, Cooper can take no more. He convinces his wife, Leah, a successful businesswoman played by Sharon Stone (Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Casino), to quit her job and leave the city with him, Jesse, and their daughter Kristen (Kristen Stewart).
But country life, the Tilson family soon realizes, isn't always safe and secure. The Tilsons move into a dilapidated mansion purchased via foreclosure sale, its original owner having missed payments and nowhere to be found. That's because the original owner, Dale Massie, played by Stephen Dorff (S.F.W., Deuces Wild, Public Enemies), has been in jail. And that is not the worst of his dark secrets. When Dale gets out, the Tilsons quickly learn that he wants his house back.
Dale arrives at the house with questionable motives. He is all smiles, looking for a job restoring the house with the Tilsons. But something isn't right with Dale from the get go. His sinister plans quickly devolve. His and the Tilsons' conflicting interests build to a climax that leaves some dead and others wounded.
Both Quaid and Dorff Give Depth and Humanism to Conflicted Characters
While it is obvious who the good guys and the bad guys are, Quaid's character is not all wholesome goodness and Dorff's isn't all psychotic malevolence. Both have underlying motives and experiences that define their characters and give reason to even some of their more unreasonable actions. It is their abilities to separate themselves from stereotypical heroes and villains that make Cold Creek Manor different and enjoyable.
Sharon Stone's acting is not so equally commendable. She gives an average performance, as do Ryan Wilson and a young Kristen Stewart (The Messengers, Twilight, Adventureland). Juliette Lewis (Cape Fear, Natural Born Killers, Kalifornia) puts in a more admirable performance as Dale's girlfriend. Dana Eskelson also stands out as Sheriff Annie Ferguson.
Mike Figgis' Direction and Richard Jefferies' Screenplay Combine for Quality Storytelling
Overall, Cold Creek Manor is nothing extraordinary or even novel. Still, it is a good film with an easy-to-follow plot that is both continuous and plausible enough not to be dismissed. As a thriller, it builds properly and is sufficiently climatic. With elements of horror, Cold Creek Manor is a solid renter.
Cold Creek Manor was released in theaters on September 19, 2003. Its DVD release from Buena Vista Home Entertainment came on March 2, 2004. The DVD contains a number of deleted scenes and an alternate ending, all of which add greater insight into the characters and the film's development.
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