A teenage boy is sent to a juvenile reform facility in the wilderness. As we learn about the tragic events that sent him there, his struggle becomes one for survival with the inmates, counselors, and the retired war colonel in charge.
A rather classic, but skillfully - and tastefully, despite the graphic content - executed drama that tracks the painful blossoming of maturity during a crisis of authority and morality.
For a first time feature outing, "Coldwater" is a fine effort from Grashaw, and the setting feels fresh and new. It's an original take on a coming of age, young masculinity tale, but ultimately, it doesn't quite live up to all of its potential
The horrors in Coldwater continue unchecked for the majority of the movie. It's a very visceral experience, leaving the audience no room to hide from their own discomfort.
Grashaw draws out fascinating, textured performances from his cast, notably James C. Burns as the retired marine in charge and Nicholas Bateman as a conflicted trustee.
It's a promising topic for a drama, and Greshaw's talented leading man carries it until the filmmaker steals it from him and destroys everything built up in the first hour.
