Colour on the Thames: A quiet wander through the fog

Is it worth your time?

If you’re the kind of person who gets annoyed when a movie doesn't have a clear beginning, middle, and end, skip this one. Seriously. It’s a slow burn that doesn't really burn at all—it just sort of smolders in a damp, grey way. But if you’ve had a loud week and just want to stare at the water and listen to someone mumble, you might find it oddly comforting.

Adrian Klein carries the whole thing on his back, mostly by just looking tired in various locations. There’s a scene near the middle where he stands by the river for what feels like five minutes without saying a word. It’s the kind of choice that would get cut in a bigger studio film, but here, it just feels like he forgot his lines or was having a bad day.

I found myself thinking about The Grim Comedian while watching this, mainly because of how differently they use silence. Where that one felt heavy and loaded, this is just... vacant. It’s like the movie is waiting for something to happen that never quite shows up.

Odd little notes

• The lighting in the cafe scene is weirdly green. I don't know if that was a stylistic choice or just a broken bulb.
• There is a boat in the background that seems to disappear and reappear between shots. I liked that.
• Klein’s coat looks like it hasn't been dry-cleaned in a decade, which is probably the most realistic part of the whole production.

It reminds me a bit of the aimless energy in Kids and Skids, though with way less shouting. It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s definitely not for everyone. I think the director really just wanted to film the river at sunset and decided to build a story around it as an excuse.

I left the theater feeling a bit damp, even though it wasn't raining. That’s probably the best review I can give it. It gets under your skin, even if you’re not entirely sure why you let it in. 🌫️