«Cold-blooded and lawless

Cinema Wednesdays - Melisa Oriol

A loving father, a murder, a drug cartel, snow, guns, blood, death, more snow, more Indians, more death... everything would suggest that Sang Froid by Hans Petter Moland, is a reheated gangster revenge movie with no originality. And yet! Faced with the beauty of the images and the dark humor, it's impossible to remain indifferent.

Liam Neeson stars in Sang FroidA quiet, unassuming man who eventually turns into a deranged killer to avenge his son's death. Yes, a priori, this type of character—one often portrayed on screen by this actor—might seem off-putting, but the film surprisingly manages to avoid the «déjà vu» feel of a father on a bloodthirsty quest for vengeance, primarily through humor. At the beginning of the film, Nelson Coxman (Liam Neeson) and Grace Coxman (Laura Dern) go to the morgue to identify the body of their son, Kyle (Micheál Richardson); this scene, though dramatic, is presented with a touch of sarcasm that recurs throughout the film, serving to lighten the mood or contrast with the violence.

«Some bring happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go» – Oscar Wilde (quote at the beginning of the film)

This blend of irony and bloodshed is undeniably reminiscent of the master of the genre: Quentin Tarantino. And so, from violence to fits of laughter Sang Froid manages to subvert the stereotype of action movies that are sometimes over-the-top with shouting, tears, and testosterone. The violence, though softened by laughter, is nonetheless fully expressed. The film unfolds to the rhythm of a string of corpses, from the drug smuggler «Limbo» to the school janitor «the school guard,» to a cartel member «Steve Zob»— no one is spared!

A well-honed plot—but that's not all!

While the screenplay masterfully balances humor and seriousness, the film’s visual style is equally impressive. The film opens on a vast snow-covered expanse; the first few minutes depict Nelson Coxman’s daily work in his snowplow, which begins at dawn when only a few lights pierce the darkness of the night. These images of stark simplicity are enhanced by a guitar piece composed by George Fenton, which lends the visuals a new dimension. Throughout the film, we frequently see a close connection between the protagonist’s actions and emotions and the music. The more bodies the protagonist leaves in his wake, the more the music becomes cheerful and upbeat—sometimes even rock ’n’ roll—mirroring the viewer, who gradually revels in the morbid pleasure of revenge.

As for the aesthetics of the images, the whiteness of the snow brings out the full brilliance of the red color of the blood and dramatically accentuates the visual violence. Indeed, many sequences feature this red-and-white contrast, which renders the violence highly stylized and carefully crafted. This is clearly a deliberate choice to pair these two hues—a choice that is even reflected in the film’s French title, «Cool Head». It is therefore no coincidence that the massacre scenes take place mostly outdoors or in immaculate, sterile interiors (a house decorated with white curtains and rugs, or a wedding dress shop).".

A Little Morality, After All

Although the film seems to be intended solely for entertainment, it nonetheless contains—as in any story worth its salt—a semblance of a moral. While some topics are only touched upon superficially—such as divorce, grief, inheritance, same-sex relationships, or ethnic differences—which at times could use a bit more exploration—the film as a whole leans toward a more simplistic moral based on the choices people make and the consequences that follow.

In an era dominated by overconsumption, money, and the need to move ever faster, the film focuses on a man who has decided to live simply. Though at times a bit unassuming, he represents a genuine return to more traditional, family-oriented values. When he was named «Citizen of the Year,» Nelson gave a sober speech about the need to take «the right path.» Yet these words seem ironic coming from a man who ultimately kills everyone… in cold blood.

Write to the author: [email protected]

Photo credit: © Impuls Pictures