The difference between slow and plodding can be the difference between a
slow but interesting story that gradually reaches a well-appreciated climax
that rewards viewer’s for their patience. Where as plodding is something quite
different. I would describe it as a narrative where nothing really happens and
leads to ending that's neither exciting nor rewarding. I would deem October
Gale (2015) written and directed by Ruba Nadda, as plodding. Breaching
the trades description act by calling it self a thriller is does boast a couple
of well known actors including one of my favourite actresses Patricia Clarkson,
British actor Tim Roth and London born Scott Speedman who I'm not quite so
familiar with.
Clarkson plays Helen Matthews whose husband died in a tragic boating
accident one weekend while the pair was staying at their island holiday
cottage. It's now been 12 months since her husband's death and Helen decides to
return. Virtually cut of after her boat brakes down she spends her time
clearing out ‘stuff’ that's not needed. During a night storm she hears noises
and discovers a boat attached to her jetty, inside the craft are traces of
blood. Returning to what she thinks is the safety of the cottage she finds a
man (Speedman) laid out on the floor with a nasty bullet hole in his shoulder.
 |
| Even Ms Clarkson can't save this tedious movie. |
We get flashbacks of her time at the retreat with her husband and also some
idea of why her visitor ended up bleeding all over her carpet – yawn yawn! Even
a belated appearance by Tim Roth, who can't save the tedium of the movies lame
build up and its disappointing ending, who was much better in Michael Haneke’s
US version of Funny
Games (2007) which I think the director is trying to emulate - but without
much success.
