‘A Long Winter’ Review: Andrew Haigh Goes Cold with an Immaculately Crafted Coming-of-Age Story Too Restrained for Its Own Good

Andrew Haigh's "A Long Winter" explores themes of family, coming-of-age, survival, and grief as it weaves together elements from Haigh's previous works and the source novel by Colm Tóibín. Set in the Rockies, Colorado, the film follows Louise, Lester, and their two sons, Mike and Tommy, living in a remote cabin. Louise grapples with alcoholism, while the boys yearn for a different life.

As Mike returns from a year working on a farm in Iowa, he notices his mother's hidden alcoholism and learns about her struggles with the bottle. When Lester removes her secret stash of liquor, Louise leaves, leaving Mike to care for his younger brother Tommy, who dreams of leaving the mountains. Haigh's film subverts the beauty of the surroundings, making the mountains feel like a constant threat, rather than an escape.