Snow Angels (C- or 1.5/4 stars)
'Snow Angels' a drama directed by David Gordon Green, is one depressing movie. The film opens on a wintry afternoon. A high school band is practicing on the football field. And gun shots are heard in the distance. The film then proceeds in flashback mode to the events leading up to those gun shots. A compelling opening, yes. But what occurs over the next 105 min. is anything but. This tragic story interweaves the life of a teenage boy with his old babysitter, her estranged husband, & their little daughter. I can't say the movie isn't well acted, it really is. But 'Snow Angels' is too fragmented, melodramatic & hopelessly bleak.
Annie (Kate Beckinsale) is a waitress at the local Chinese restaurant. She is separated from Glenn (Sam Rockwell), due to his recent attempt at taking his own life. But he has recently 'found Jesus' and demands a 2nd chance from Annie. Not only for their sake, but for their adorable girl, Tara. Annie doesn't think this is a good idea, especially since she's having an affair with Nate (Nicky Katt), hisband of her best friend/co-worker, Barb (the quirky Amy Sedaris). Another co-worker at the restaurant is a teen whom Annie used to babysit some years ago, Arthur (Michael Angarano). His parents are separating. But his depression (over that fact) is quelled after starting a relationship with off-beat Lila (Olivia Thirlby), the socially-unaccepted new girl at school. The town they live in is small. Word travels fast. And all of these characters' lives will cross when a massive tragedy strikes. All will be affected. Some will rebound from it. Others won't fair nearly as well.
I have to give credit where it is due. The subject matter of this film is, at least, interesting (encompassing divorce, murder, adultery, alcoholism, mental illness, people gone missing, etc.). Though most of the film is devastating, it ends on a sort-of uplifting note (for a few). As stated, the acting is top-notch. Rockwell is stellar in the tortured-Evangelical role; always fighting his personal demons. Beckinsale (inflecting a superb American accent) is most impressive, here. After a long, hard day, it is easy to misread certain situations, or things that are said. After containing that frustration internally all day, one wrong thing done/said could make you snap. This is what happens to her & she conveys it beautifully. But in spite of the strong performances by all, 'Snow Angels' is disjointed, heavy & lugubrious.
Because there are so many characters to track, NONE of them are given ample time for development; room to breathe. Green only scratches the surface of their stories. And practically every individual storyline deserves their own movie. There's no cohesive dramatic force behind all the doom & gloom. The traged(ies) are potent. The setting & acting are proficient. But because each character doesn't get their deserved treatment, the effect of the tragedy (that is to say ... the emotional wallop we're supposed to feel) is deadened on impact. 'Snow Angels' is a small film that aims for greatness. But I found it both flimsy & traumatic.
Annie (Kate Beckinsale) is a waitress at the local Chinese restaurant. She is separated from Glenn (Sam Rockwell), due to his recent attempt at taking his own life. But he has recently 'found Jesus' and demands a 2nd chance from Annie. Not only for their sake, but for their adorable girl, Tara. Annie doesn't think this is a good idea, especially since she's having an affair with Nate (Nicky Katt), hisband of her best friend/co-worker, Barb (the quirky Amy Sedaris). Another co-worker at the restaurant is a teen whom Annie used to babysit some years ago, Arthur (Michael Angarano). His parents are separating. But his depression (over that fact) is quelled after starting a relationship with off-beat Lila (Olivia Thirlby), the socially-unaccepted new girl at school. The town they live in is small. Word travels fast. And all of these characters' lives will cross when a massive tragedy strikes. All will be affected. Some will rebound from it. Others won't fair nearly as well.
I have to give credit where it is due. The subject matter of this film is, at least, interesting (encompassing divorce, murder, adultery, alcoholism, mental illness, people gone missing, etc.). Though most of the film is devastating, it ends on a sort-of uplifting note (for a few). As stated, the acting is top-notch. Rockwell is stellar in the tortured-Evangelical role; always fighting his personal demons. Beckinsale (inflecting a superb American accent) is most impressive, here. After a long, hard day, it is easy to misread certain situations, or things that are said. After containing that frustration internally all day, one wrong thing done/said could make you snap. This is what happens to her & she conveys it beautifully. But in spite of the strong performances by all, 'Snow Angels' is disjointed, heavy & lugubrious.
Because there are so many characters to track, NONE of them are given ample time for development; room to breathe. Green only scratches the surface of their stories. And practically every individual storyline deserves their own movie. There's no cohesive dramatic force behind all the doom & gloom. The traged(ies) are potent. The setting & acting are proficient. But because each character doesn't get their deserved treatment, the effect of the tragedy (that is to say ... the emotional wallop we're supposed to feel) is deadened on impact. 'Snow Angels' is a small film that aims for greatness. But I found it both flimsy & traumatic.