By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2.5 cats
Director: David Gordon Green
Starring: Amy Sedaris | Jeanetta Arnette | Kate Beckinsale | Michael Angarano | Olivia Thirlby | Sam Rockwell
Country: united_states
Year: 2008
Running time: 106
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0453548/
Michael says: “The latest effort from Chlotrudis-favorite director David Gordon Green is a bit of a disappointment. SNOW ANGELS is adapted from the novel by Stewart O’Nan, and sadly, it seems to have been more than Green could handle. SNOW ANGELS is an ensemble piece with characters involved in different stories that overlap from time to time. Watching the film you get the distinct impression that there should be some underlying theme tying things together, and that the book probably did a good job doing just that, but it’s missing in Green’s film.
“The action takes place during the winter in a small town. There seem to be two central storylines, one revolving around Annie (Kate Beckinsale) and Glenn (Sam Rockwell) an estranged couple with a young daughter; and high school student Arthur (Michael Angarano), his parents, and his new girlfriend (JUNO’s Olivia Thirlby). Annie and Glenn have a tentative relationship since Glenn attempted suicide after she left him. When a tragedy strikes, their relationship grows even more complex. Arthur is struggling with the separation of his parents, the attraction he feels for his co-worker Annie (who used to baby sit for him) and his developing relationship with the new student at the school.
“There’s some great imagery (Tim Orr, Green’s cinematographer, has been nominated for two Chlotrudis Awards), nice acting work (Thirlby proves herself a second time and Angarano is terrific. Even Amy Sedaris acquits herself well in a supporting role). But the story is missing something major, and it becomes painfully evident at the film’s critical juncture. You’re left with the feeling of, so what?
“It’s Green’s first misstep, and I’m not so hopeful about his next release, the stoner comedy PINEAPPLE EXPRESS written by Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen. Here’s hoping he will eventually make another film for which he writes an original screenplay. 2.5 cats”