Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Centigrade Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf February 16, 2021

“Centigrade” is a survival picture that’s based on true story, though the specifics of the inspiration are vague at best. It’s better to put the reality of the story aside and approach the feature as a two-hander drama, where the participants are stuck inside of a car buried in the snow for 85 minutes of screen time. Screenwriters Daley Nixon and Brendan Walsh (who also directs) have quite the creative task, trying to make near immobility into a nail- biting experience of panic. “Centigrade” doesn’t achieve a few of its limited goals, but the movie is largely successful as a claustrophobic mission of self-preservation and logic. It’s not the easiest film to sit through, presenting all sorts of anguish and argumentative behavior, but Walsh believes in the endeavor’s importance as an offering of emotionality and perseverance, even when he can’t communicate such urgency to the viewer.

In 2002, pregnant writer Naomi (Genesis Rodriguez) is on a tour of Norway with her husband, Matt (Vincent Piazza), with the couple making their way to a book signing. Unable to reach their destination, they decide to pull over to get some sleep, only to find their car buried in snow and ice when they awaken. Trying to grasp their options at first, expecting some sort of rescue once loved ones notice they’re missing, Naomi and Matt slowly come to the realization that nobody is looking for them, forcing the pair to figure out a way to stay alive while they remain in the automobile, trying to keep warm as they ration supplies. When days turn into weeks in the winter coffin, tempers flare and secrets are revealed, forcing Naomi and Matt to manage their emotional surges as they face a long, slow death, also dealing with pregnancy issues in the middle of nowhere.

Travel to Norway and glimpses of Naomi and Matt’s experience in the country aren’t included in “Centigrade.” The story begins with them buried, waking up to find the windows blocked out, suggesting the pair are packed deep, leaving them with limited lighting to help assess the situation. Many survival movies begin with a gulp of fresh air before disaster strikes, but Walsh isn’t interested in placing the characters before they’re put to the ultimate test. The writing likes to portion out such personal history, electing to remain as confused and afraid as the couple as they try to assess what’s happened and how they can get out of this dangerous situation. Naomi suggests (and many viewers might agree) that they break off a piece of window and dig their way to the surface, filling the car with snow as they go. Matt shoots down the idea, preferring to remain in the vehicle for as long as they can. Such a disagreement is the first of many between the twosome, who work to sustain some form of partnership as they face certain doom.

“Centigrade” only gets away from the car interior to note the passing days, with Walsh including shots of the snowbanks to reveal just how close the couple is to freedom without knowing it. However, escape means facing the bitter elements of Norwegian weather, keeping the pair in place, watching them organize supplies, regret travel and lodging choices, and manage Naomi’s back pain, with a hidden bottle of pills exposing a secret life of addiction to Matt, who has his own hidden ways newly introduce to the couple’s dynamic. Arguments are common in “Centigrade,” as Walsh must fill the run time somehow, watching Naomi and Matt turn on each other as hunger and stress get the best of them. As the days carry on, new challenges arrive, but despair never dissipates, only briefly alleviated by the distant sound of a snowplow pushing through the fresh cover, offering hope that civilization is within reach.

Centigrade Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

"Centigrade" isn't the most visually varied picture, with the story taking place inside of a car buried in the snow. The AVC encoded image (2.38:1 aspect ratio) presentation has a slightly brightened appearance to illuminate the movement inside the vehicle, limiting deep blacks. Artifacting is also troublesome, with banding a common sight, and a few pockets of posturization are found as well. Detail isn't meant to be extraordinary with such a limited view, but skin deterioration comes through satisfactorily, offering sharp close-ups of the characters slowly losing their survival battle. A few exterior shots offer textured snowscapes. Colors are acceptable, dealing with darker winter gear and natural skintones. Lit candles provide more yellowish highlights.

Centigrade Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix focuses on car interiors, which carry a more intimate sound as the characters move around and engage with each other, often angrily. Dialogue exchanges are clear, with sharp emotionality that aids in the understanding of individual breakdowns as the days wear on. Sound effects are distinct, highlighting the surround movement of objects and cracking ice. Scoring cues are sharp, with pounding percussion to provide some low-end response, and gentle strings to indicate dramatic emphasis. Atmospherics are loud, exploring whipping winds and snow during exterior shots.

Centigrade Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:52, HD) is included.

Centigrade Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Matters grow agonizing for Naomi and Matt as "Centigrade" unfolds, but Walsh isn't making a thriller, he's finding a place to reside for 85 minutes, reveling in the pain experienced by the couple, who soon face their worst fear while wasting away. The writing isn't active enough to support a feature- length event, and dramatics tend to grow repetitive, especially in the second half. Walsh certainly creates an atmosphere of dread, helped along by passionate performances from Rodriguez and Piazza that communicate fear. "Centigrade" is effective, but less so the longer it plays out, unintentionally exposing storytelling limits while asking viewers to remain in a place of physical and psychological torture without much in the way of a cinematic reward at the end.