Die Hölle

You better damn well tip this Taxi Driver.

I love kick-ass women who can surely kick any ass, but this one...such depth, so much history and so little words, she is the ultimate antihero hero. I loved her.

Get your blenders on, this movie is all parts: Death Wish, The Transporter, I Spit on Your Grave, The Bourne Identity, Rear Window, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Taxi Driver, just to name a few. But, don't worry; the film just borrows from them. The real story is: the Fantastic Not-Angelina Jolie.

There is a central plot thread, but it's almost overshadowed by the lives and drama of Not-Angelina Jolie. The basic story: troubled loner (with very good reasons) witnesses a brutal murder from her bathroom window. That would be bad enough, but the killer surely sees her see him and the threat is on. Almost comically - but really, sadly, she spends a good chunk of the film trying to crash at someone else's place over and over only to remember why she didn't involve herself with these people since they previously wronged her.

With no one to help her and the killer stalking her, she's pretty much on her own. I wouldn't worry too much, though. Not-Angelina Jolie can seriously mess you up.

She's not Supergirl. She's absolutely human even though she's got a pretty good shield: drive. What she's been through in her life - and you'll learn pretty much all of it from extremely clever writing and the show/don't tell acting and scenes - nine out of ten people couldn't handle. This makes her thoroughly interesting and captivating.

Now, it does help that through a lot of the drama here, there's some awesome action scenes and an incredibly satisfying final act. Contrary, some of the slower and definitely predictable scenes do muddy the waters. Mercifully, they don't linger on too long and we get back to the character worth watching the whole movie for: Not-Angelina Jolie, of course.

***

Final thoughts: I love extremely strong characters in cinema, namely smart female leads with the odds stacked against them and their fists/wits prevail. So much so, I constantly give passes to other flaws, plot-holes or clichés in the films they're in. So, know this: Cold Hell isn't perfect. It does have one unintentionally hilarious "Oh, that's where he is!" revelation that I wouldn't knocked down the movie more so, but damn, they did correct themselves almost instantly and all is forgiven.

And I mean that in the nicest sense possible. Really I do! Of course if you feel that is an insult, you probably don't like movies like that. Sleazy thrillers, made a couple of decades ago. They were very successful and had charm to them. Very comparable to this one, which has flaws in many departments and you could argue that the characters are not all around likable (especially the police man who gets drawn into the center of it all).

Still this is very empowering to women, even when it doesn't look like it at the beginning. There's still nudity and action and gore and all that. But there's also a lot of humor in it. Of course not everyone will find the same things funny, but the movie does not take prisoners and goes some extra miles ... even when introducing characters and giving us a "father-figure" who almost feels out of place in this. So again, it is messy and it is far from perfect ... but that is what makes it so enticing.

"Cold Hell" is an impressive German film released in 2017. The lead character's performance is simply outstanding. Right from the beginning, you can't help but empathize with her, but as the story progresses, she becomes someone you can't help but dislike. It's a realistic portrayal of a person with a troubled past, as often happens in real life, where people tend to push others away and reject help. However, despite its strengths, the movie could have benefited from more suspense and a stronger antagonist to heighten the overall experience.

The film effectively captures the audience's attention with its engaging storyline and the exceptional acting prowess of the main character. From the very start, we are drawn into her world, feeling a deep sense of empathy for the challenges she faces. As the narrative unfolds, we witness her transformation into a character we find it hard to root for. This evolution is a testament to the actress's remarkable talent in portraying complex emotions and internal conflicts.

"Cold Hell" does a commendable job in shedding light on the harsh realities of life, particularly when it comes to individuals who have endured difficult circumstances. The film authentically portrays the tendency of some people to reject assistance and further isolate themselves, even when presented with opportunities to make positive choices. This portrayal adds depth and relatability to the story, allowing viewers to reflect on the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of personal history.

While "Cold Hell" excels in its character development and exploration of real-life struggles, it falls slightly short in terms of suspense and the strength of its antagonist. Though the film keeps you engaged, it could have benefited from a more palpable sense of tension and anticipation throughout. Additionally, a more formidable and memorable killer would have enhanced the overall impact of the story. By intensifying these elements, the movie could have provided a more gripping and thrilling experience for the audience.

Overall, "Cold Hell" is a solid German film that delivers powerful performances and delves into the intricacies of human nature. It effectively portrays the complexities of a character shaped by a difficult past and the repercussions of her choices. While it could have offered more suspense and a stronger antagonist, the film still manages to captivate viewers with its emotional depth and thought-provoking themes.

This is no Ben Hur or Lawrence of Arabia but I find myself watching this movie again and again when I don't know what I want to watch that night. I believe I must have watched it 10 times already and I know that I'll still watch it again. Based on this phenomenon alone, I have raised my rating to 9. The editing is quite good too and the art direction is well planned especially the colours. The main characters are not perfect but they both have guts and a softer, finer side. The more I watch this movie, the more I realize that I'm drawn to the characters' authentic personalities and the chemistry between them. They don't fit the Hollywood "handsome" or "gorgeous" moulds but I find them attractive and charismatic. And what can I say, I just love movies where the women can fight back!

I suspect the more perceptive viewer might suggest that this was not just a good action flick, but a comment on misogyny and prejudice. That aside, I thought this was a decent, gritty drama with a thrilling plot. The villain's sadistic tendencies make him a thoroughly hateful character, whilst the protagonist is flawed but admirable. Recommended.

Gabriel Millsom