Oh Deer, Oh Deer, Oh Deer – Cold November Review

GameStop, Inc.

Oh deer, oh deer, oh deer, 12-year-old Florence grows up a lot on her first deer hunt – Cold November review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydn3mz6gCwc

I grew up in Northern California where guns weren’t really known for shooting animals. Hunting seemed like a luxury that those who didn’t have to worry about guns enjoyed. I did do some fishing, so I’m not completely removed from catching my dinner, but I’ve never killed anything that you wouldn’t normally find at a supermarket. But despite the complete disconnect from deer hunting, Cold November warmed my heart.

Cold November is about a 12-year-old girl named Florence, who is going on her first deer hunt. The deer hunt is a rite-of-passage in Florence’s Matriarchal Family. The film begins pre-hunt with Florence receiving her hunting license, her gun, then some shooting lessons, and of course some stories from her family. Florence is excited and eager to partake in the family’s tradition. On the first day of the hunt, Florence doesn’t bag her buck. However, she does have a very close encounter with a doe. It seems like a sign, though she does not bag her buck on the first day. That night Florences Grandma shares stories of hunting when she was younger, and how it wasn’t a sport but a necessity to live. The rest of the film covers the rest of the hunting trip, and the troubles and obstacles Florence faces as a growing young woman on her first hunting trip.

Having pretty much no connection or experience with deer hunting, I would not normally have no interest in a movie about it. I do play the arcade game in bars and arcades, but I know the sport has a lot more goes into it than pointing and shooting. However, despite my general lack of interest in the subject matter, Cold November was a very well made and interesting film. I did enjoy it, but I will likely never watch it again. In terms of technical aspect, it is shot well and written well but doesn’t stand out in a notable way. For being focused on hunting and the outdoors, I was expecting gorgeous shots of the environment. However, it the environment ends up flying by like you’re in a carpool lane; too focused on getting to the end rather than basking in the environment.

Cold November’s story is extremely personal, so personal it is unrelatable. Being a male minority in Los Angeles, it is hard to get further away from the main character than that. But, director Karl Jacob and Bijou Abas as Florence do an excellent job carrying the film. Abas’s performance is hands down the highlight of the film, and I want to say Jacob had a part in bringing it out. The captivation of the performance is a testament to them both because the story itself is very personal and unfocused. A looming presence in the film is Florence’s cousin who passed away. She is often referenced, and Florence goes as far as having a dream/nightmare where she interacts with her. This has no impact on the film’s plot or emotional weight. The rest of the family also do little to add to the story or development. Grandma is a perfectly likable character, but Florence’s mother, aunt, and uncle don’t do much more than provide some hunting advice here and there. Otherwise, they seem far more interested in bagging their own bucks. Florence is the only character that has depth in the movie, but it doesn’t really feel like she develops or grows up. Instead, the film feels more like it captures the experience of her first hunting trip, and that’s it.

Cold November, is a well-made film that captures a maturing young girl’s first hunting trip. The star of the movie does an amazing job and provides some she to an otherwise a linear film. The film doesn’t appear to try to do more than share Florence’s story, in which it succeeds. However, it doesn’t really do anything else. Perhaps if you are a hunter, the film would be more relatable and impactful, however, I firmly believe the story is far too personal to connect with most audiences. If you are interested in hunting, and how young woman get involved and experience it, I think this film something you would enjoy. The film is shot well and Jacobs perfectly captures the experience in his portrayal. However, if you’re looking for a coming of age film, I think Cold November misses its mark. Overall, my Cold November review gets a 2.5/5.

Cold November
2.5

TLDR

Cold November, is a well-made film that captures a maturing young girl’s first hunting trip. The star of the movie does an amazing job and provides some she to an otherwise a linear film. The film doesn’t appear to try to do more than share Florence’s story, in which it succeeds. However, it doesn’t really do anything else. Perhaps if you are a hunter, the film would be more relatable and impactful, however, I firmly believe the story is far too personal to connect with most audiences. If you are interested in hunting, and how young woman get involved and experience it, I think this film something you would enjoy. The film is shot well and Jacobs perfectly captures the experience in his portrayal. However, if you’re looking for a coming of age film, I think Cold November misses its mark.

Sending
User Review
4 (1 vote)
Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
We Test Our EQ By Revisiting the ‘New Zoo Revue’ with Doug and Emily Momary – Interview

We revisit the classic 1970s series, ‘The New Zoo Revue‘ with...

Kari Wahlgren Talks Voicing Aunt May in ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’

Legendary voice actress, Kari Wahlgren returns to the Spider-Man multiverse as...

Melissa Roxburgh & Patrick Sabongui Talk About NBC’s ‘The Hunting Party’ – Interview

Melissa Roxburgh and Patrick Sabongui talk about their new NBC Procedural...

Event News Event Reviews
‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ is Wonderous at The Phantom Projects – Review

Off-Broadway comes to North Orange County with ‘The Marvelous Wonderettes‘ at...

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ Is Oh So Right at La Mirada Theatre – Review

‘The Play That Goes Wrong‘ Leaves Audiences Roaring with Side-Splitting Laughter...

Metal Hall of Fame Rocks Out During NAMM Weekend in Anaheim

The Metal Hall of Fame Rocks Anaheim, CA during NAMM Weekend...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Goldie Collins uses her ‘Animal Instinct’ in the WOW Tag Team Division – Interview

Goldie Collins and her Animal Instinct tag team partner, Katarina Jinx...

Top Tier Talk About the Season Premiere of WOW – Women Of Wrestling – Interview

Top Tier Talk About the WOW Season Premiere and being named...

WOW and Pluto TV Tag Team with a New Channel – SDCC News

WOW – Women Of Wrestling has a new tag team partner...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents – Valentine’s day special 2025 pt 1

Ok you got me, I don't surf.

Fantoy Comics Presents – A REPRINT!

Oop!

Fantoy Comics Presents – THINGS TO COME 2025 pt 4

J-Hope's Animal Mystery Squad

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
John Dawson Talks His Cody Rhodes Inspired Song ‘Under All the Lights’ – Interview

Canadian Singer/Songwriter John Dawson Talks About His Cody and Brandi Rhodes...

Composer Youssef Guezoum Nominated for Two HMMA Awards – Interview

Moroccan born composer, Youssef Guezoum takes his adopted country by storm...

Isabella Summers Talks Composing for the Animated Feature ‘Hitpig!’ – Interview

‘Hitpig!‘ Composer, Isabella Summers Talks About Composing for the Indie Animated...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Michael Hirsh Made Gen X Citizens Via his ‘Animation Nation’ – Interview

Legendary Animator, Michael Hirsh goes from Immigrant to Emperor in his...

Billy Eddy Talks His new Book ‘Our New World of Adult Bullies’ – Interview

Lawyer, Mediator and Personality Expert Bill Eddy Provides a Six-Step Strategy...

Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4 – Interview

Cesar Millan Unveils Halo Collar 4: A Game-Changer for the Safety...

Artista Cigars Unveils Name Change For Two Cigar Lines – News

Artista Cigars Unveils Packaging Redesign and Name Change for Puro Ambar...

Artista Cigars Announces David Ortiz Hall of Fame Cigars – News

Artista Cigars Announces Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz Hall of...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...