Cold Heaven (1991) ***

1990s Nicolas Roeg films, while still containing many of his trademarks, are a far cry from 70s and 80s Nic Roeg films. They are of course surreal, obtuse, over-the-top, disturbing and bizarre, and Cold Heaven (1991) is no exception, in regard to most of those qualities. But there's a certain magic lacking in his 90s output. I imagine some of it had to do with budgetary restrictions and what type of material would secure financing. But there is also a sense that Roeg was somewhat less adventurous.

That said, CH is a solid supernatural mystery involving Catholic guilt, infidelity, and challenged beliefs. Answers aren't really given as to a certain "miracle" that the story circles around, which is good because I wouldn't want them presented in a spoon-fed way. There is some pretty good melodrama here and Theresa Russell does a commendable job of carrying the film (though actors like Seymour Cassel and Talia Shire are utterly wasted), but the whole affair has an air of tameness. There are a few scenes that feel very Roegian but too often I wanted him to go bolder and let loose with the visuals, camerawork and performances.

As I mentioned in my review of Track 29 (1988) (my review here), another Roeg film that I saw for the first time in 2019, I liked Cold Heaven the second least of the now ten of his films that I've seen, but I still enjoyed it. Even more straightforward Roeg is still Roeg, and I'll take it.

You can find my Nicolas Roeg Feature Films Ranked list here.